Biodiversity
Kinross-shire a beautiful area of rolling hills surrounding the largest loch of lowland Scotland – Loch Leven.
The landscape we see is an effect of post-glacial activity, long-term agricultural land use and past textile industry.
Today what remains as semi-natural land (principally around the loch) has been an effect of long-term conservation. Loch Leven National Nature Reserve is the great effort of RSPB and NatureScot to preserve the loch habitat for the many bird and other species that inhabit this beautiful spot.
Local engagement is at the heart of successful nature conservation
Greener Kinross-shire organise local biodiversity events to involve local community like nature walks, litter picks, Citizen Science events or tree/hedge planting and you can get involved by contacting us
In July 2025 we held Mini Bioblitz at Kirkgate Park, where a group of nine volunteers and nature experts have led community walks to record everything what flies above our park. In two and half hours we recorded 163 different species of birds, bees, butterflies and plants they are attracted to.
In 2026 we formed Guardians of Loch Leven, a group of volunteers trained by Buglife Scotland in river invertebrate surveying (Guardians of Our Rivers programme).
From April 2026, Guardians of Loch Leven led by Sarah Allen meet every month between March and September to carry out the survey. This takes place in a shallow, accessible section of the North Queich near Milnathort Golf Course, chosen for its safe depth (below knee height) and ease of entry. At each session they collect a sample and identify and count all the species. After each session, Sarah Allen, our Coordinator submits the results to the national database via Cartographer App.
These records help track changes in water quality over time. If scores fall below expected thresholds, they can trigger further investigation by SEPA—an important safeguard for Scotland’s freshwater ecosystems.
Knowledge of biodiversity is crucial in conservation. In that respect Loch Leven has been regularly monitored for bird and insect species by NatureScot and RSPB (e.g. WEBs counts). Water quality and fish/aquatic species surveys are carried out by the UK Centre of Ecology and Hydrology, who have long term records of water quality and habitats. If you are interested in learning more about Loch Leven ecology visit the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Loch Leven Portal. Recently there we have noticed an increase in algal blooms on the loch and local rivers.
They are dangerous to people and animals – observe the Fife Council or Nature Scot advice and do not enter the water when the bloom occurs. CEH are leading a project to learn more about the reasons for algal blooms and how to prevent them.
If you would like to help – you can record your observations of the blooms in the Bloomin’ App (download from AppStore). Learn more how to use the App here.
Great local community action on Portmoak Moss, which is our only restored peatland by a local organisation – Portmoak Community Woodland Group with collaboration of Woodland Trust Scotland its current owner. If you are interested in this work, there is more information on ecology of the moss on PCWG Website or an opportunity to attend moss restoration days you can email the group info@portmoakcw.org.uk or check in the Kinross-shire Newsletter. You can also experience the beauty of the Moss Soundscape by Natasha Currie from St. Andrews University.
