Loch Leven National Nature Reserve is a hub of bird activity whatever the time of year, being a migration hotspot for wildfowl from throughout Eurasia and Africa.

Autumn brings with it the ultimate annual spectacle of over 20,000 pink-footed geese making the long flight south from Iceland to spend their winter roosting on and around the loch.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the body which manages the reserve, is inviting people to join reserve staff on two dawn goose watches in October to witness the spectacle.

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.

In September and October, when the loch is an important staging post for migrating birds, the numbers of waterfowl can reach 35,000. 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.

Up to 10% of the world's population of pink-footed geese make Loch Leven their winter destination, with about 20,000 visiting the reserve. This makes it one of the largest populations of geese to be seen in the British Isles.

To experience this awesome gathering to its full potential, an early start is required. The SNH reserve staff will be hosting dawn goose watches on Sunday 14th October and Saturday 20th October at 6:30am from the Kirkgate point, by the old graveyard. Watchers will have a lochside view for all the action and will be able to learn more about wildlife on the loch.

Contact SNH reserve staff on 01577 864439 to book a place on one of these two sessions or go to www.lochleven-nnr.org.uk [3] for more information.

Why not visit a local Reserve at Johnston Terrace [4] or Bawsinch and Duddingston Loch [5]