In this section

Safari of the week

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL DETAILS OR TO BOOK.

View location on map

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park & the David Marshall Lodge

This huge 50,000 acre park holds most of the wildlife you could want to see on the Scottish mainland, as well as having some stunning views. Mountains, lochs, woodland and moorland are all abundant. There is a fine visitor centre, The David Marshall Lodge (Aberfoyle) provides stunning views, refreshments and osprey cams.

Highlights: Ospreys are the major draw, and they have bred here since 2004. Red squirrells still thrive here, and Red deer, wild cats, polecats, pine martens and water vole are all present.

Apart from the ospreys, the reserve is especially well known for birds of prey. Golden eagles, sparrowhawks, kestrels, Peregrines, buzzards, merlin, Red kite and hen harrier can all be seen.

Location: The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park lies just north east of the A81 at Aberfoyle, about 20 miles west of Stirling and Dunblane.

Grid reference: NN520014

Aberfoyle Ospreys 2008

July 2008. Aberfoyle's osprey chicks have taken wing for the first time and are set to be a regular feature over David Marshall Lodge as they strengthen their flight muscles. The crucial moment happened between 5pm Sunday and 10am Monday morning, when there were no prying eyes around to spot any potential mishaps.

Andrea Williams, Information and Education Officer for Forestry Commission Scotland and RSPB Scotland, said: "It is really unusual that the 2 chicks have fledged together as they normally fledge days apart. They'll now spend time building up their flight muscles before their winter trek to Africa - and that will include quite a bit of hunting, so now is a great time to come along and spot the birds in action."

For a better chance of seeing the birds, Andrea is holding a special 'First Flight, First Splash' event on Saturday 9 Aug (4.30pm - 7.30pm). This will involve a mini bus trip to a local loch - hopefully to see the juveniles fishing and will include tea/coffee and hot filled rolls. Places cost £5 (£3 RSPB members).

Aberfoyle ospreys & Peregrines 2007

A successful season at Aberfoyle as three chicks hatched and all survived. Curiously it is believed that the male who has helped the female hatch and grow these chicks was not actually their father, as the female spent 10 days mating with another male before this one arrived back in the spring. It is thought that there were 2 males and 1 female.

15th July. Chicks growing well, due to fledge in the next week or so.

29th June. The 3 chicks are growing well, and the oldest is nearly 4 weeks old.

13th June. All three eggs have hatched and the chicks are looking well.

The peregrines hatched 3 eggs in mid May, but the youngest bird died during torrential rain. The surving two have been ringed, and are both believed to be female. Some interesting observations about the Peregrine's diet, a mixture of wood pigeon, siskin, jackdaw and starling with a few other small birds as well.

The Peregrine chicks have fledged and are now catching most of their own prey.

Read more about Queen Elizabeth Forest park.

These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.

Created by Wild Dog Design & Bright Interactive