World famous osprey centre (Loch Garten Nature Reserve (Highland))

Member Name: markos9

Product:	Loch Garten Nature Reserve (Highland)
Date:	22/02/09 (144 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Scenery, comfortable visitor centre

Disadvantages: It's a long way from where I live!

Ospreys were extinct in Britain in 1916 due to persecution by humans. There followed an absence of over 40 years where ospreys were only seen occasionally. Then in 1959, a pair arrived in Scotland and stayed to breed. The location they chose was Loch Garten, in the spectacular Abernethy forest in the highlands. Ospreys have returned to breed there ever since.

Since that pioneering single pair, the population of ospreys in Scotland has risen to about 200 pairs. There are now a few in England and Wales, too.

Despite the increased population, their original breeding site at Loch Garten remains one of the most impressive places to see this fish-eating bird of prey.

Abernethy forest is owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Their stewardship of this area ensures that the forest remains suitable habitat, not just for the ospreys, but for other rare native birds and animals such as wildcat, pine martin, and capercaillie.

The site is well signposted, and boasts a large car park close to the entrance. There's a small entry charge (£3 adults, 50p children), but RSPB members get in free. The path to the viewing site is 350m long and suitable for wheelchairs. Entrance to the viewing area is via a ramp.

The RSPB has recently built a new visitors centre at Loch Garten, overlooking the osprey's nest (but at a safe distance to avoid disturbance). This impressive looking building is made from local wood, and designed to blend in with the forest.

The centre has telescopes and binoculars available for use, as well as a video camera focused on the nest site. This video camera is also, in the breeding season, available for viewing over the internet.

With the viewing facilities available, you're guaranteed of getting a really good view of these impressive, large birds of prey. The staff at the centre are very helpful and will explain what's going on as things happen. There can actually be quite a lot happening. Last year, a rival male was present and driven off by the 'old' male. Seeing the male bringing food to the female and chicks is always impressive, and sadly, not all of the chicks always survive. The ospreys are usually there from late March to late August.

There's also plenty of bird feeders dotted around. These attract crested tits which, in Britain, live nowhere else but the Highlands of Scotland, as well as the beautiful red squirrels. These seem quite tame and allow close approaches from people.

There's a small shop where you can get the usual feeders, books and DVD's as well as some light refreshments. Prices are, as is usual in RSPB shops, not the cheapest.

As well as looking at the ospreys, the spectacular local scenery is well worth exploring. The RSPB have several paths for you to follow, and you can get down to the shore of Loch Garten itself.

The forest is a remnant of the ancient Caledonian pine forest that's existed since the end of the last ice age. It was much bigger until humans decided to decimate it. Luckily, the RSPB is in the process of regenerating the forest to increase its size (a process that will apparently take 200 years!). There's a real sense of wildness about the place even close to the car parks. It's easy to imaging wolves and bears roaming the paths looking for prey. Nowadays, however, the largest predator here is the Scottish wildcat, and there's little chance of seeing one of these as they're shy and nocturnal.

The Scottish Highlands is an amazing place to visit, and if you're going to be in the area, I can recommend Abernethy Forest and the osprey visitor centre for spending a few hours in the company of one of Britain's most impressive birds of prey.

Summary: If you're interested in ospreys, this is the best place to go