Nature blitz at Loch Leven

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is holding a mini-bioblitz at the Burleigh Sands bird hide on Tuesday, 26 May, from 10am to 3pm.

A 'BioBlitz' is a great, outdoor, family event where naturalists and members of the public work together to do a fast and intensive survey of all forms of life in a natural space. SNH staff and volunteers will be on hand to help participants get to grips with recording species – or just finding out more about what species can be found at the nature reserve.

It's a race to find as many different species of plants, birds, insects, fungi, mammals, fish as possible. Everything people see or find is written down to make a list of species’ records which feed into national databases that monitor our wildlife.

Neil Mitchell, SNH Loch Leven reserve manager, said:

“The BioBlitz is a great way to get involved and learn about Loch Leven’s wildlife. The hide has great views of the loch, a wildflower meadow and dipping ponds all within just a few paces. We’ll have a moth trap out overnight as well, and will do some insect surveys, a splash of pond dipping, some bird watching and a bird ringing demonstration.”

This is a free, drop-in event. This event is open to all ages and all abilities. The hide and the path to it are all wheelchair friendly.

Loch Leven is Scotland’s largest lowland loch and one of the most important sites for waterfowl in Britain. Its unique environment attracts not only the largest concentration of breeding ducks anywhere in the UK, but also many thousands of migratory ducks, geese and swans every autumn and winter, as well as boasting an interesting variety of wildlife, plants and trees.