Dawn Chorus Walk at Loch Leven

A guided early morning bird walk at Loch Leven National Nature Reserve invites participants to explore the role that birds play in the catchment as it comes alive. October is a season of arrival: many migratory birds, including geese and other wildfowl, have just reached Loch Leven, and the walk offers a chance to witness this seasonal shift firsthand. Along the way, we will listen closely to birdsong and calls, learn to spot key species by sight, and explore how the loch supports such rich birdlife, from resident species to the winter visitors newly arrived from further north.

This walk is led by Tom Lane, an experienced countryside manager and ecological surveyor with a particular keenness and expertise for birds.

The walk welcomes people of all experience levels and abilities when it comes to birdwatching, and binoculars will be available to borrow if you do not have your own. Depending on who comes along, we will adapt and tailor the walk accordingly. We will welcome you from 7am with a hot cup of coffee or tea and a short introduction to the loch and the walk. We aim to set off at 7.15am sharp, so please arrive on time.

The event is free.

Afterwards, you have the option to join us for our next event — a free coffee at Pinkfoot Café and a solargraphy reveal at around 8.30am, followed by breakfast at a farmer's field by Cross Burn at 9am, just a 10-minute ride away. Book your spot and join us here: tickettailor.com/events/catchmentcollective

What to Bring

The walk will be on a well-paved path, but please bring appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. If you have binoculars, please bring them along - and if you have a spare pair you don't mind sharing, even better. We'll also have extra binoculars available to lend to those who don't have their own.

Practical Information 

• Book a Ticket: To help us get a sense of numbers, please book a ticket via the link on this page, or by texting 7548980926 with your name, how many tickets you'd like, and whether you have any transport support needs.
• Meeting Point: Loch Leven Car Park at the Loch Leven National Nature Reserve. W3W - ///loved.goad.sharpens
• Parking: There is free parking available at the Loch Leven Car Park. 
• Transport: If it would be helpful with transport to and from the venue, we have either travel bursaries available or we will hire a mini-bus to pick people up. Just let us know when you book a ticket and we will get in touch. 
• Dogs: Due to the focus of the walk, we would prefer you leave four-legged friends at home.

About the Catchment Festival 

This event is part of the 'Catchment Festival: A Day Along the Leven Catchment'. From dawn til dusk on the 17th October, you can join us for a day of walks, food, art, ecology, stories and conversations celebrating the landscape shaped by water and the people who call it home. Beginning as the landscape wakes and ending around a shared table, the Catchment Festival invites you to slow down, listen, explore, create, eat and imagine the future of the catchment together.

Click on this link to see all the events happening on the day: catchmentcollective.scot/catchment-festival/