Wednesday September twenty seventh 2023
Pink-footed geese at Loch Leven NNR ©Lorne Gill/NatureScot.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
Visitors are being requested to keep away from collaborating in water sports activities on the loch at Loch Leven National Nature Reserve (NNR) to assist shield internationally essential water birds.
Scotland’s nature company is reminding people who from 1st September to thirty first March, individuals are suggested to not use canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, rowing boats and comparable craft. This is as a result of large numbers of birds – greater than 40,000 at peak instances – are current throughout the loch and they’re simply disturbed from their relaxation and feeding after lengthy migrations.
The native access steering has been in place since 2006 and has been working effectively, however with a rise in numbers of water sports activities fans, lots of whom are new to the exercise, it is very important remind folks why Loch Leven is so particular and the way guests can assist take care of it. The loch additionally has a year-round restriction with no access at any time for motorised or sail craft.
Loch Leven is an internationally essential web site for water birds, with large flocks of wintering wildfowl gathering every autumn. In October, round 10% of the world’s inhabitants of pink-footed geese arrive on the loch.
At this time of yr, there’s a lot for guests to get pleasure from from the loch shore. Autumn is the right season to take a walk or cycle across the loch and expertise atmospheric misty mornings, the honking of geese as they fly overhead and, in fact, the great thing about the leaves altering color. Heading into winter, guests can watch considered one of Scotland’s biggest wildlife spectacles as 1000’s of geese take flight at daybreak or return at nightfall.
Jeremy Squire, NatureScot’s Nature Reserve Manager at Loch Leven, stated: “We need everybody to get pleasure from visiting the reserve, however we’re asking folks to keep in mind that Loch Leven is a National Nature Reserve, the place we work to guard wildlife.
“In recent years, we’ve seen a pointy rise within the variety of folks going out on the water, and cumulatively that may trigger vital disturbance for the birds as they’re making an attempt to relaxation and feed.
“We hope that visitors will understand and help us to protect nature at this special place by following the guidance in place at this important time of year for birds. By being responsible, people can help preserve what makes Loch Leven so special.”
NatureScot is asking guests to comply with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code when visiting the reserve. Find out extra about Loch Leven National Nature Reserve.
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