Editing Loch Garten (section)

==Loch Garten Osprey Centre==
[[File:RSPB Osprey Centre - geograph.org.uk - 11325.jpg|thumb|Entrance to the Osprey Centre]]
The Loch Garten Osprey Centre is a bird-watching facility on Loch Garten that focuses on the nest of two [[osprey]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title = RSPB Scotland Loch Garten Osprey Centre - Nethybridge - VisitScotland|url = http://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/rspb-scotland-loch-garten-osprey-centre-p253771|website = www.visitscotland.com|accessdate = 2015-10-21}}</ref> It is an [[Royal Society for the Protection of Birds|RSPB]] facility located in the Abernethy Forest. The Abernethy Forest RSPB reserve protects a habitat of [[Caledonian Forest|Caledonian pine forest]] and in turn forms part of the wider Abernethy [[National nature reserve (Scotland)|National Nature Reserve]].<ref name=nnr>{{cite web| url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/10099| title=Abernethy NNR| publisher=NatureScot|accessdate=27 January 2021}}</ref>

The birds return to the nesting site every year and the numerous [[binoculars]] and [[telescope]]s within the centre allow for effective bird watching. Visitors can also see [[red squirrel]]s and other small birds feeding in front of the bird hide.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Loch Garten, Abernethy: Facilities|url = http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/l/lochgarten/facilities.aspx|website = The RSPB|accessdate = 2015-10-21}}</ref> A pair of ospreys have nested at the site every year from 1959 to 2019, although no chicks fledged there between 2016 and 2019. The tree which houses the nest died due to the droppings and remains of prey from the nesting birds, and in the winter of 2021 the nest (which was largely artificial) was relocated to a healthy Scots pine a few metres away. The tree canopy surrounding the nest was also lowered in an effort to make the nest site more appealing to ospreys.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Out with the old, in with the new - Loch Garten osprey diary - Loch Garten ospreys - The RSPB Community |url=https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/lochgartenospreys/b/lochgartenospreys/posts/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=community.rspb.org.uk}}</ref> In 2022 a new pair of ospreys took over the new nest site and raised two young.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Delight as new osprey chicks ringed at RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre|url = https://www.northern-times.co.uk/news/osprey-chicks-delight-at-loch-garten-281568//|work=The Northern Times|date=15 July 2022|accessdate = 10 September 2022}}</ref> Two chicks fledged in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=LOCH GARTEN - March 2024 - Loch Garten ospreys - Loch Garten ospreys - The RSPB Community |url=https://community.rspb.org.uk/placestovisit/lochgartenospreys/f/loch-garten-ospreys/286665/loch-garten---march-2024 |website=community.rspb.org.uk |access-date=12 July 2024 |language=en |date=12 July 2024}}</ref>

The surrounding forest includes walking different paths passing by a large loch which is also known as Loch Mallachie.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Loch Garten and Garten woods|url = http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/cairngorms/loch-garten.shtml|website = Walkhighlands|accessdate = 2015-10-21}}</ref> Some of the trails link up with the [[Speyside Way|Speyside way]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Birdwatching in and around Boat of Garten — Boat of Garten - The Osprey Village in the Cairngorms National Park|url = http://www.boatofgarten.com/community/local-wildlife/bird-watching-in-and-around-boat-of-garten/|website = www.boatofgarten.com|accessdate = 2015-10-21}}</ref>