Print pageStar species
Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.
Red kites are the star attraction here. At feeding time they gather in numbers, swooping down to the table to snatch a meal (they tend not to hang around, unlike the ravens and buzzards). The kites were reintroduced to north-east Scotland after being absent for decades. |  |
Look and listen for great spotted woodpeckers around Tollie. In spring, you could hear males 'drumming' on dead wood. They have a sharp 'kick' call and often come down to the feeders outside the centre. |  |
Ospreys breed not far from Tollie, so keep your eyes open for them flying overhead from spring to autumn, perhaps carrying fish. |  |
You can see ravens' plummeting display flights from late winter, through the spring and hear their gruff, ringing 'kronk' calls throughout the year here. |  |
Whitethroats arrive at Tollie in late April and can be seen in the scrubby areas until early autumn. The best way to locate them is to listen for the males' short, scratchy song in spring. |  |