The wildflowers are blooming, the butterflies are fluttering on the breeze, and the air is thick with birdsong – the RSPB Lochwinnoch wildlife reserve is full of the joys of summer!
One reason RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve is excited about summer is that many migratory birds have arrived – birds that have come here from far-flung places such as Africa. Birds like the swallow - small, fast-moving and agile, they can be seen darting around the reserve picking off insects - and the osprey, a large bird of prey that uses its strong talons to catch fish. They’ll be here until the early autumn, when they will return to Africa to spend the winter in sunnier climes – come and see them while you can. Of course, it’s not just these migrants you can spot – a wide range of birds are visible from the visitor centre’s viewing windows, including a family of baby ducklings!
Aside from the birds, many smaller animals can be seen up close – pond dipping kits are available from our visitor centre enabling a variety of beasties to be examined at close quarters. The water boatman, for example, has long back legs covered in tiny hairs, which allow it to swim over the surface of the water, making it look like a person rowing a boat! Lucky pond dippers may even find a newt or two!
They have a range of activities for children scheduled over the summer, including a different self-led Wild Challenge each week – families are given an explorer’s pack and set off to discover the different stations along the trail, learning along the way in order to complete the challenge. Our ranger-led Make Your Own Mondays events take children out on a guided tour to explore and learn about nature. Upcoming sessions include a nature art master class, the chance to go on a minibeast safari, and a bushcraft session where you can learn to build a fire & toast marshmallows.
The following events are taking place: Wild Challenges coming up include: Tree-mendous: 22-28 July; Minibeast safari: 25 July; Be a Bug: 29 July – 4 Aug; Bushcraft: 1 Aug; Be a Hedgehog: 5-11 August; Nature Detectives: 8 August; Get Up Close to Nature: 12-18 August; Hobbits and Hairy Feet: 19 Aug – 4 Sept.
For more information about the RSPB Lochwinnoch reserve and for details of future events, check out www.rspb.org.uk/lochwinnoch