To help you identify some of the region’s resident species, here we share the wildlife of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. With loch, islands, forest and moorland all calling home to a vast array of wildlife, every nature-fan will be in their element.
Wildlife is everywhere around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. In ancient forests, rare red squirrels effortlessly navigate their way across treetop branches, while chestnut-coated pine marten quietly go about their business on the forest floor. In the sky, golden eagles soar on the thermals while the haunting cries of stags can be heard piercing the dawn.
Here are some of the most famous of the park's species:
Bats
Winged mammals that are particularly active in the summer months, bats can often be seen around Loch Lomond and in the Trossachs. Pipistrelle are some of the most common and grace the skies from dusk onwards, each tucking into a hearty diet of 3,000 midges every night.
Beavers
Extinct in Scotland for 400 years, Beavers have been finally reintroduced into the wild. Characterful eco engineers, they can be seen along water courses and lochs and in some scrubby woodland areas around the rivers in the National Park. Although the beavers themselves are a little shy, they often leave evidence behind, like gnaw marks and dams, which is still pretty exciting.
Deer
The Trossachs National Park is home to three species of deer, from red deer (the largest), to fallow, to roe (the smallest). For a beautiful sight that will leave a lasting impression, keep your eyes peeled for fallow deer in woodland, roe deer in open fields and red deer on mountainsides. You might even see fallow deer swimming in Loch Lomond!
Golden Eagles
While the nesting sites of Golden Eagles are kept firmly out of the public domain to help with conservation efforts, adults can still be seen soaring through the sky around Loch Lomond. With a magnificent wingspan of over 2 meters, they make for a truly unforgettable sight.
Ospreys
Another species that was near to extinction in the UK, Osprey numbers are on the rise in Scotland. With beautiful brown and white plumage, these impressive birds are the epitome of power and grace. Present in the National Park from mid-March to September, they are often sighted on Loch Lomond’s eastern shore.
Pine Marten
A member of the weasel family, the sleek pine marten has a really important part to play in the National Park. As well as being particularly charismatic, the pine marten actually helps to protect native red squirrels by reducing numbers of the invasive grey squirrel. Though they are most active in the evenings in woodland, you may be lucky enough to be treated to a special encounter.
Red Squirrels
One of the most famous of the area’s year-round residents is the adorable red squirrel. A native species that has fought its way back from near extinction, these tufty-eared, russet-furred aero acrobats can be found throughout most of the National Park.
Reptiles
Admittedly, you may not think that Scottish climes lend themselves especially well to the life cycles of reptiles. That said, three types of reptiles are actually found around Loch Lomond and in the Trossachs, including adders, common lizards and slow worms. The latter, slow worms, are actually a type of lizard without legs and are completely harmless - and very cute!
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