Wildlife

The wildlife in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is varied and widespread due to the variety of habitat in the park.

The Callander group of the Scottish Wildlife Trust have a talk on the second Tuesday of each month from September to April, held in Callander Kirk Hall. They are open to all.

Scottish Wild Cat

Resembling the domestic cat, but heavier and larger, the wildcat is secretive and nocturnal and therefore seldom seen. Has a broad face, striped body and a striped tail.

Scottish Red Squirrel

This little fellow has a very bushy tail and small tufts on the ears. Half the weight of his cousin the grey squirrel, he prefers conifer woodland where he can find pine seeds, berries, shoots and fungii. Now endangered due to pressure from grey squirrel and loss of habitat.

Deer

Roe and red deer are found in many of the woodlands and forests of the National Park, and have been present in Britain since the last ice age. A small population of fallow deer exists around Loch Lomond and recently a some Sika deer have been found in the Park having strayed from neighbouring areas.

Capercailzie

Male is large - resembles turkey and weighs about 8 lbs. Distinctive slightly hooked beak and a broad tail. The hen capercailzie is camouflaged - brownish with dark marks - and is much smaller than the cock bird - almost half the weight. Often blamed for damage to plantations, these birds are becoming hard to find.

Scottish Osprey

Visit the Lodge near Aberfoyle to use closed circuit TV to observe the Ospreys at their nest during the breeding season.

If you enjoy bird watching then a walk along the Roy Roy Trail can be a treat.