There’s still time to have your say on how best to protect one of Scotland’s most enchanting and endangered birds.
A public consultation aiming to support the future of the Slavonian grebe is open until Friday 16 May, giving nature lovers and local residents the chance to shape visitor guidance at Loch Ruthven near Farr.
The shimmering loch, nestled in the Highland hills, is one of the last strongholds for the Slavonian grebe — a striking bird with a golden crest and ruby-red eyes that arrives each spring to breed.
But their numbers have been falling for decades. Conservationists believe human disturbance on the water may be playing a part.
To give the birds the peace and quiet they need to raise their young, new guidance is being considered.
Visitors would be asked not to canoe, paddleboard or swim at the east end of the loch during the crucial breeding months from 1 March to 31 August.
The proposal is backed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), NatureScot and the Local Access Forum, all working together to help turn the tide for a bird that has become heartbreakingly scarce across the UK.
Loch Ruthven is one of only a handful of places where these birds breed.
Any disturbance during nesting season can cause the adults to abandon their eggs or chicks altogether.
Even quiet paddling can appear threatening to wildlife.
The proposed guidance is designed to reduce stress on the birds without restricting access to the whole loch.
This is about balance. Letting people continue to enjoy the beauty of the Highlands while giving nature the space it needs to thrive.
Slavonian grebes are part of what makes the Scottish Highlands so special.
Every chick raised successfully is a small but vital victory for biodiversity.
Whether you live locally or simply care about Scotland’s wild places, your voice can help shape a future where people and wildlife flourish side by side.
To take part in the consultation and share your views, visit the official page: Consultation on Local Access Guidance for Loch Ruthven
You have until Friday 16 May.
A few minutes of your time could make a world of difference for one of nature’s rarest gems.
