Free wetlands walk at Loch Leven

To mark World Wetlands Day, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) staff will lead a guided walk, taking a closer look at the amazing variety of wildfowl at the national nature reserve.

World Wetlands Day marks the anniversary of the Ramsar convention, which was established 42 years ago to protect wetlands internationally with 21 countries as signatories. The convention has now been signed by 169 countries.

Craig Nisbet, SNH reserve officer at Loch Leven, said:

“There’s so much to see at Loch Leven – it’s important for a number of international populations of wintering wildfowl, such as pink-footed geese, whooper swans, tufted ducks and coots, to name but a few. The loch is also proving very popular with white-tailed eagles and short-eared owls through the winter, and the loch shore and tributaries are often used by otters and kingfishers in search of food.”

Call the reserve office on 01577 864439 to book a place. Stout footwear, waterproofs and binoculars are recommended. SNH staff will have telescopes. The walk will begin from the Loch Leven’s Larder car park.

ENDS

MEDIA QUERIES - For more information, contact SNH press & public relations officers, Vicki Mowat, on 0131 316 2659 or vicki.mowat@snh.gov.uk (Tues-Fri), or the SNH main press officer on 01463 725 022 (Mon).