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Have you used our Bloomin' Algae app yet?

If you're a regular visitor to lakes, lochs or rivers, this app could be a handy tool to keep in your pocket. Algal blooms can cause severe illness in humans and animals, so whether you're a paddleboarder, dog walker, wild swimmer or simply someone who enjoys our aquatic spaces, the Bloomin' Algae app could help keep you safe.

The app is available to download on any Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. Confirmed blooms are displayed on an interactive map, allowing users to easily see where and when a bloom has been reported.

Not sure what an algal bloom looks like? Don't worry. The app also includes guidance and an image reference library to help you decide whether it's a bloom or just floating plants. Even if you're unsure, our algal experts can review your report before adding it to the map and alerting other users.

New for July! You can now record zero abundance, meaning you can report when you don't see a bloom at a particular location. This helps us learn more about how weather and climate influence when and where blooms occur.

You can see all the records on our Bloomin' Algae web portal.

Check out the Bloomin' Algae Summer 2026 newsletter and read a summary of 2025's recording and more!

On Saturday 14th June 2025, UKCEH took part in the annual Loch Leven Discovery Day event, run by NatureScot. It's a fun-filled, yet informative family day out that brings together science and nature with members of the public. Loch Leven was designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR) in 1964 when it was realised that it was home to a huge number of wild birds. You can often see breathtaking displays from tens of thousands of wintering wildfowl, and in summer there are regular reports of ospreys hunting for the many fish species that inhabit the loch. The Loch Leven brown trout are famed for their particularly tasty flavour throughout the world.

Loch Leven is also a hotspot for water sports and dogwalkers, but the loch can be very susceptible to toxic algal blooms in the warmer months, which can affect the health of humans and pets alike. This year, UKCEH brought knowledge and technology together to share information with the local community on potentially toxic algal blooms, as well as the bugs, beasties and plants that live in and around the loch. We used two portable microscopes to magnify all of the weird and wonderful creatures and algae that are found in the loch.

If you missed us this year, don't worry; we'll be back again next year!