Twitching

BIRD WATCHING AT LOCHEND CHALETS

There is a fabulous array of birds to be seen at Lochend, from the ospreys which fish in the lake all summer to the tawny owls who nest each year in the giant Douglas fir at the bend in the drive. Guests in our chalets, cabins and lodges beside the lake become very familiar with the resident heron, who fishes right in front of the chalets, occasionally flying off across the bay, squawking in his pre-historic way. Bird-watching at Lochend becomes part of your every day while on holiday here.

Birding on holiday at the Lake of Menteith

As for the ducks, they were wild once, before they worked out it was easier just hanging around everybody’s patios waiting for bread! We can provide more suitable food for them, if you want to make firm friends and look after them. Meanwhile, we also have swans, elegantly gliding from Lochend to their nest in the reeds across the bay, as well as oystercatchers, bullfinches and tree-creepers, long-tailed tits and goldfinches, cormorants, buzzards, goldeneyes and great crested grebes. Bird and bat boxes are dotted about all over Lochend; recycled bird-feeders on the front of each chalet are busy in spring and summer with the chatter of finches and tits.

Some of you may have seen the 2020 series of Springwatch, which featured presenter Gordon Buchanan spotting a massive sea eagle while he was filming at Lochend, too. Chris carved a life-sized model bird out of wood for the show, which you can see on the shore; it's a big old bird!

Here is a full check-list of birds seen so far at Lochend – 95 and counting. We have bird books in each chalet to help you identify what you see, and we’ll be really excited if you can add to the list.

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