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My name is Rhona and I'm a massive nature geek. I was lucky enough to grow up in the countryside, surrounded by fields to run in, streams to 'fish' in with the kitchen seive, trees to climb and dens to build. When school was out we grabbed our binoculars and headed outdoors - fighting our way through thick clumps of bracken to reach the top of a hill, scoffing brambles from thorny bushes and spending hours playing in the tree house (which in reality, was nothing more than a small wooden platform but to us it might as well have been Buckingham Palace!).
Dad was an adventurer; full of knowledge about the rock formations, the trees, the wildlife and the changes that came with each season. At the time I soaked it all up like a sponge but sadly much of it has since been forgotten. He used to lead us on 'midnight walks' in the garden, armed with a torch, to catch a glimpse of owls and hedgehogs, and we even had a 'bat detector' which made their sounds audible.
The highlight of our summer was attending our local RSPB reserve, where we sometimes stayed for 'camps'. We always returned home full of fresh stories and memories, and on one occassion in my case a particularly sore foot from having stood on a stickleback. We bought things from their catalogue for Christmas (a particular highlight being The Bird Table board game!) and geeked out with our tree, bug and and bird identification charts.
So, why am I telling you all this? Because before I knew it adolescense set in; my trusty bug collecter lay gathering dust while I desperately practised applying eye liner in my room, and the annual RSPB membership was replaced by a Heat subscription. Almost twenty years later of living and working in a city and my love of nature and the outdoors has been reignited since becoming a parent. I want to be able to feed Freya's curious little mind with all sorts of wonder, far beyond the realms of anything a screen can.
The RSPB nature reserve at Loch Leven, just outside Kinross, has loads of fantastic activities on over the next few months for kids and families to take part in. The details for these are below, and I'd love to bump into as many of you there as possible!
Discover the wildlife of Loch Leven by taking part in our exciting self-led activities. Collect kit from the visitor centre and get stuck in. Try the different themes, including; brilliant birds; tracks and signs; bug safari; pond dipping; and amazing moths.
Loch Leven Wildlife Explorers group is open to children aged 5 to 12 years and takes place on the last Sunday of each month between August and June. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. To register for the group please contact the group leader lochlevenWEX@rspb.org.uk The annual fee is £15 or £10 for RSPB members.
Magnificent meadowsMeet in the bumblebee meadow to celebrate National Meadows Day. Get up close to beautiful moths, learn survey techniques, sweep netting and get to know wild flowers and bees.
Standard reserve entry charge applies, FREE for members
Go along with your budding wildlife adventurers for a journey through the seasons. This popular monthly event, for families with children aged 5 and under, starts with a story and is packed with creative ideas and surprises; getting you outside and playing in nature. Please dress for the weather – pack your wellies!
Booking essential; RSPB members £3, non members £6 (per family)
Six hours, six topics, six photos. Meet at RSPB Loch Leven reserve at 10 am to be given three secret topics. You have three hours to take one photo per topic. Return to the start point at 1pm for the next three topics. Winning portfolios will be displayed in the visitor centre.
Join the forest school leaders to learn the skills of forest survival! Build dens, make fire, learn tracking skills, camouflage yourself, and more. Children aged 8+ only. Bring packed lunch and outdoor clothing.
Big Wild SleepoutGo for a night camping under the stars and connect with nature as the nocturnal wildlife comes to life on the reserve. Join in with bat and moth walks, enjoy wildlife and bushcraft activities and toast marshmallows on the fire. Facilities: toilets, wash basins, hot water, barbeque.
Adults £40, Children £20, family £120 (2 adults and up to 3 children), RSPB member adult £34, Wildlife Explorer member £16, RSPB member family £100
Bring your budding wildlife adventurers for a journey through the seasons. This popular monthly event, for families with children aged 5 and under, starts with a story and is packed with creative ideas and surprises; getting you outside and playing in nature. Please dress for the weather – pack your wellies!
Booking essential; RSPB members £3, non members £6 (per family)
Join the warden on an evening walk around the woodland and hill looking at animal tracks and signs. As well as using traditional tracking methods you will also get the chance to use some more modern equipment including trail cameras, thermal imagers and bat detectors to discover what secretive mammals live on the reserve. Sensible clothing and footwear are essential.
Wildlife ExplorersLoch Leven Wildlife Explorers group is open to children aged 5 to 12 years and takes place on the last Sunday of each month between August and June. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. To register for the group please contact the group leader lochlevenWEX@rspb.org.uk.The annual fee is £15 or £10 for RSPB members.
Join RSPB Loch Leven as they celebrate all things organic and try delicious samples from the Soil Association gold award cafe menu. Learn about wildlife friendly farming and local producers that are making a difference and pick up an organic explorer challenge for the wee ones. Just drop in.
Explore the reserve at night to see and hear the different types of bats found here. Up to five species of these fascinating nocturnal creatures could be spotted, including the rare Nathusius Pipistrelle bat which has only been found at two sites in Fife and Kinross.
Come along with your budding wildlife adventurers for a journey through the seasons. This popular monthly event, for families with children aged 5 and under, starts with a story and is packed with creative ideas and surprises; getting you outside and playing in nature. Please dress for the weather – pack your wellies!
Booking essential; RSPB members £3, non members £6 (per family)
Loch Leven Wildlife Explorers group is open to children aged 5 to 12 years and takes place on the last Sunday of each month between August and June. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. To register for the group please contact the group leader lochlevenWEX@rspb.org.uk. The annual fee is £15 or £10 for RSPB members.
With thanks to photographers Helen Patience & Andy Hay for these great images (rspb-images.com). More info on the events and booking can be done at the RSPB Loch Leven website>
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