Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the body which manages the reserve, is inviting people to join reserve staff on a winter bird walk from Kirkgate Point to spot the residents and the visitors.

Loch Leven is the largest lowland loch in Scotland and its position, just off the M90, means it is easy to get to for visitors as well as locals. The whole loch and surrounding wetlands are within the National Nature Reserve.

More than 20,000 geese, ducks and swans spend the winter at the loch. As well as being part of a series of bird sites of European importance the site is a wetland of worldwide importance, known as a Ramsar site.

To fully appreciate the wildlife of Loch Leven, it must be seen in the depths of winter as well as on those balmy summer evenings. This is why SNH staff are offering the chance to join them on Saturday 8 December to get some expert identification tips on the abundance of birds currently on the reserve.

Large numbers of migratory birds have arrived and residents can also be seen in large numbers. Around Kirkgate Point whooper swans have been gathering, giving people the opportunity to see this magnificent swan. Whoopers are a different species from the mute swan and they have a yellow and black bill, are a smaller size and have a straighter neck.

With a little patience you may also find some rare birds and often vagrants from other continents, blown off course by adverse weather conditions. A North American wader, the Baird's sandpiper turned up on the loch last month and it was the first record of this species for Tayside.

To join SNH on the search, and to see the variety of winter bird life the reserve has to offer, call SNH on 01577 864439 to book your place. After booking meet at Kirkgate Point at 9am on Saturday 8th December.

Wrap up warm, remember your binoculars (although they are available for those without), and any keen photographers are welcome to bring cameras.