SUMMER IS over—the ospreys have left the Loch of the Lowes.

After the departure some weeks ago of the female bird, the male osprey and this year’s two young have left the Scottish Wildlife reserve for their African wintering grounds.

The last sighting was a few days ago, but visitors to the reserve are finding there is still plenty to see. Yesterday a sparrowhawk took a bird from the feeding station at the visitor centre under the gaze of several visitors who had earlier been watching red squirrels.

A visit to the lochside by fallow deer, including two dappled ones, was watched with interest from the hides. On the loch, dab chicks and great crested grebes are busy feeding on minnows, so bird enthusiasts will still have much to see.