Birdwatching in Scotland
There are two excellent nature reserves in the area. By the shores of Loch Leven the Vane Farm, just off the M90 near Kinross lies the RSPB's premier nature centre. This converted farm steading provides views over the Loch from its observation room, hides and nature trail, with displays and information about the reserve and Loch ( a National Nature Reserve managed by Scottish Natural Heritage).
The Scottish Wildlife Trust's Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre is at Dunkeld. There you might be lucky enough to see a breeding Osprey from the hide by the loch.
At The Loch of Kinordy RSPB Reserve see breeding waterfowl including the rare black-necked grebe, viewable from bird-watching hides overlooking the loch, as well as ospreys and otters.
A little further afield you can visit the Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve in Angus, famous for its estuary bird life, and the new Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick, East Lothian.
A friend of "Duncrub Holidays" (see Chapel and Tower House) made a list of the 50 species of birds he saw during his 2-year stay: Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Yellowhammer, Siskin, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Long Tail Tit, Goldcrest, House Sparrow, Starling, Skylark, Linnet, Pheasant, Grey Partrige, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Blackbird, Redwing, Song Thrush, Missel Thrush, Treecreeper, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Pied Wagtail, Willow Warbler, Wood Pigeon, Collard Dove, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Pink-footed Geese, Greylag Geese, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jay, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Tawny Owl, Kestrel, Buzzard, Sparrow Hawk and Great Spotted Woodpecker. We meekly add Tree Sparrow, Kingfisher, Heron and Osprey
