chair

At Elie, the Black-necked Grebe was still present off the harbour (1st). 20 Whooper Swans flew north over St Andrews, two Chiffchaffs were heard singing atTayfield, two Ospreys were seen circling over Loch Glow from Knockhill. Two Ospreys were also seen at different times from the Eden Estuary Centre, with both seen carrying fish and heading towards Balmullo (2nd). Three Sandwich Terns were noted at Anstruther (3rd) then a Black Guillemot was seen there the following day when a Red Kite was spotted on the east side of the Thornton bypass (4th). At the top end of Kilminning were one male Blackcap and a Chiffchaff. A report from Morton Lochs NNR included six Dabchicks, a Canada Goose, five Teal, c25 Mallards, eight Tufted Ducks, two Chiffchaffs, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. At Elie the Black-necked Grebe was joined by two Sandwich Terns (5th). A Chiffchaff was at the top end of Kilminning, a Willow Warbler was at Kilrenny. Hirundine counts included three House Martins and five Swallows at Kilconquhar Loch, c25 Sand Martins and two Swallows at Angle Park GP and three Swallows at Loch Gelly where there were also five Gadwall, 68 Goldeneyes, two Shelducks and four Goosanders. An unusual report was an Egyptian Goose with 200 Pink-feet at Letham Pools (6th). Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR hosted singles of House Martin and Swallow, a Great Northern Diver passed west off Ruddons Point, a redhead Smew and three Swallows were seen at Cameron Reservoir and the Black-necked Grebe was now in summer plumage at Elie Harbour where there was also a Raven over the cliffs. Ten drake Shovelers plus a single Pintail were noted at Wilderness (7th).

The next day, the same site held 47 (37+ ten immature) Mute Swans, 88 Pink-feet, 17 Tufted Ducks, 15 Goldeneyes, 12 Coots, ten Lapwings and 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Letham Pools hosted two Shovelers, a Great Crested Grebe, four Mute Swans, seven Teal, 23 Wigeon, four Gadwall and ten Oystercatchers. Seawatching at Fife Ness produced 11 Sandwich Terns, a Manx Shearwater, 16 Red-throated Divers, four Scaup, nine Common Scoters, five Long-tailed Ducks, two Puffins and two Red-breasted Mergansers (8th). A Blackcap was singing at Torry Bay then a report from Edenside included two Little Egrets and eight Tree Sparrows (9th). Two Dabchicks were at Newton Farm with five of this species at Linkswood Pond as well as four Shelducks and a Grey Partridge. Drumoig also held two Dabchicks and two Canada Geese. A Blackcap was heard singing at Culross and the redhead Smew was seen at the north-west end of Lochore Meadows CP (10th). A Willow Warbler and two Sand Martins were at Kinghorn Loch with seven Blackcaps between there and Burntisland then an Osprey flew north over Kirkcaldy. Sightings at Newton Sandpit included 12 Dabchicks, nine Canada Geese, four Shelducks, six Teal, ten Mallards, 30 Tufted Ducks, three Goldeneyes and a Chiffchaff. Observations at Fife Ness comprised five Sandwich Terns, one Swallow, six Red-throated Divers, a Black-throated Diver, 40 Kittiwakes, 18 Fulmars and six Greylags. Meanwhile at Lower Largo, a pair of Red-necked Grebes was seen offshore as well as a pair of Slavonian Grebes in summer plumage and two Red-throated Divers (11th). Kirkcaldy’sMill Dam area hosted four singing Blackcaps, Auchtermuchty’s first Willow Warblers of the year were three at Broombrae Farm and a Green Woodpecker was  seen at The Clink, Pitmedden Forest. Two Nuthatches were still at Ravenscraig Park then at Anstruther there was an evening fly-past of a juvenile/first winter Mediterranean Gull and a Manx Shearwater (13th). Two Ravens and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were noted at Ferry Hills while the redhead Smew was seen at Lochore Meadows CP as well as four Crossbills, three Willow Warblers, two Blackcaps, eight Swallows and 19 Sand Martins (14th).

A Chiffchaff  and a Willow Warbler were at Craigtoun CP, a male ‘Blue-headed’ Yellow Wagtail was present at Letham Pools and another particularly noteworthy sighting was a Hoopoe at Boarhills (16th). There was an unconfirmed report of two Avocets at the lagoons at Tentsmuir Point NNR (17th). Kilminning held a Black Redstart and sightings from Edenside included 40 Black-tailed Godwits (18th). A female Marsh Harrier flew over Letham Pools and one was also noted over Luthrie. Three Little Egrets and an Osprey were at Guardbridge, the Black-necked Grebe was still off the pier at Elie, a Moorhen was at the caravans at Fife Ness and a report from Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR included three Willow Warblers, six Chiffchaffs, two Blackcaps and two Swallows (19th). A Black Redstart was reported at Balcomie, where there was also a Wheatear, and a male Common Redstart was at Kilminning. Five Wheatears, a Swallow, 18 Purple Sandpipers and eight Turnstones were at Kingsbarnswhilst apair of Pintails and a single Black-tailed Godwit were noted at Wilderness. Two Waxwings were seen at Glenrothes and two House Martins were overhead at Gauldry (20th). Rossie Bog hosted a singing Grasshopper Warbler, a Wheatear, two Snipe and two Water Rails, Wilderness held one Black-tailed Godwit, two Pintails and a singing Grasshopper Warbler before Luthrie produced a Snipe and a Wheatear. A report from Loch Gelly included a Sedge Warbler, six Sand Martins, three Goosanders, 73 Goldeneyes and a pair of Pochard then four Whimbrels, a Sandwich Tern and an Osprey were seen from the Edenside hide. A male Common Redstart was found again at Kilminning where a male Brambling, a Whitethroat, 20+ Willow Warblers and three Wheatears were also noted as well as a Black Redstart at the bottom end. Sightings at Newton Sandpit included seven Canada Geese, four Shelducks, one Gadwall, two Teal, 16 Tufted Ducks, four Lapwings, c90 Black-headed Gulls, three Skylarks, two Swallows, a Chiffchaff, a Willow Warbler and a Reed Bunting. Meanwhile Morton Lochs NNR held eight Dabchicks, four Mute Swans, three Canada Geese, 12 Mallards, eight Tufted Ducks, nine Moorhens, eight Coots, a Blackcap, one Chiffchaff and a Bullfinch (21st).

A Little Tern was with two Sandwich Terns on the beach at Leven where there were also c200 Long-tailed Ducks offshore. A single Little Gull and a Whimbrel flew west up the Forth, seen from Ferry Hills where there were also two Wheatears whilst two of this species were also seen at Dunshalt. A female Black Redstart at Kilminning was accompanied by a White Wagtail, two Fieldfares, one House Martin, a Blackcap and five Willow Warblers (22nd). Two Grasshopper Warblers were heard at Loch Gelly where a Redwing also turned up (23rd). Two Red-legged Partridges were at Ballindean Farm near Gauldry (24th). A Lesser Whitethroat was in the trees around Erskine Hall, Anstruther and up to three of this species were noted at Kilminning as well as a male Pied Flycatcher and a Yellow Wagtail. A male Hen Harrier was seen at Kellie Law, a Short-eared Owl patrolled fields at Caiplie and one was also reported at Bankhead Farm between Kilrenny and Crail. Two Wheatears were atBalcomie, a Little Egret was at Edenside, two Common Sandpipers were noted at Dalgety Bay and two Dippers were seen feeding at Burnside, Cupar (25th). A Wood Warbler was heard singing and was showing well at Denburn Wood where there was also a Pied Flycatcher with a male of this species still present at Kilminning. A Whimbrel passed over Anstruther and two of this species were at St Bridgets, Dalgety Bay. 21 (including eight young) Mallards, a Chiffchaff,  two Blackcaps, a Bullfinch and a Grey Wagtail were at Tayfield while there were six Shelducks at Wormit Bay (26th). The Wood Warbler was still present at  Denburn Wood, and a Black-tailed Godwit, two Whimbrels and a Wheatear were seen at Balcomie Beach. Meanwhile at  Kilminning at least two Pied Flycatchers, one Whitethroat and one Lesser Whitethroat were at the top end and a Pied Flycatcher, a Wheatear and a Lesser Whitethroat were reported at the bottom end (27th). Noted at this site the next day were a Lesser Whitethroat, a female Pied Flycatcher, a Sedge Warbler and a Willow Warbler with a Green Woodpecker over. A Nuthatch was on the Broomhall Estate, Dunfermline, the Wood Warbler lingered at Denburn Wood and 20 Teal and a Barn Owl were at Cullaloe LNR. Two Avocets flew south from Kingsbarns beach, two pairs of Whinchats and two Ravens were noted at Glen Vale. A Garden Warbler was singing at The Binn, Burntislandll, a Lesser Whitethroat was on Bogward Road, St Andrews and one Common Sandpiper, a single Whooper Swan, a pair of Shovelers and a pair of Pintails were noted at Wilderness (28th).

One Osprey, four Little Egrets and two Sandwich Terns were noted from the Eden Estuary Centre, a Garden Warbler was singing at Cullaloe LNR then a report from Letham Pools included four Teal, 29 Mallards, 18 Tufted Ducks, five Shovelers, c20 Gadwall, 14 Coots and c100 Black-headed Gulls. Angle Park GP held ten Mallards, 12 Tufted Ducks, three Gadwall, c50 Coots, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls and a Chiffchaff before the month closed with seven Greylags, three Lesser Black-backed Gulls, one Chiffchaff and a Blackcap at Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR (30th).

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott

Two Waxwings were in Glenrothes (2nd). A pair of Ravens were at Glen Vale and an Osprey flew north over Kirkcaldy (3rd) with another sighting of this species at Eden Estuary LNR the next day. The Black-necked Grebe was still off the pier at Elie and the redhead Smew was seen again at Lochore Meadows CP, as well as a Pochard (4th), and was also noted the following day. Angle Park hosted five Dabchicks, two Gadwall, four drake Pochards, nine Goldeneyes, 50+ Coots and eight Yellowhammers (5th). A Short-eared Owl was still at Kingsbarns Golf Course and a report from Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR included 12 Tufted Ducks, 17 Goldeneyes and a Goosander (6th).

Newburgh hosted ten Waxwings then two Whooper Swans were in a field near Guardbridge (8th). The two Nuthatches remained at  Ravenscraig Park, c400 Pink-feet were noted at Loch Gelly and an immature Marsh Harrier, two Ravens and a Peregrine were seen at Newburgh (9th). At Pathhead, a male Wheatear was on the beach, a pair of Goosanders were on the burn and a Jay flew in off the sea, a site first for the observer. A Great Northern Diver was off the harbour at Dysart and a Chiffchaff joined the Nuthatches at Ravenscraig Park (10th). An adult male Hen Harrier was seen at Outhmuir in the Cleish Hills. The redhead Smew lingered at Lochore Meadows CP and a Dipper was seen at Burnside, Cupar (11th). 15 Waxwings were near Cunnoquhie Mill (12th). 44 Whooper Swans were in a cereal field near to Balmullo and a Little Egret was at East Sands, St Andrews (13th). Three Great Crested Grebes joined the redhead Smew at Lochore Meadows (14th).

Ravenscraig Park’s Nuthatches were still present, 20 Waxwings were seen from the road in the Tentsmuir area just after Craigie Farm and three Slavonian Grebes were noted at  Lower Largo. At Cameron Reservoir the regular redhead Smew had two Snipe for company (17th) and a Chiffchaff was there the following day with two of this species serenading the Smew at Lochore Meadows CP. A Brambling was recorded at Bow of Fife, 19 Waxwings were at Leuchars, five Whooper Swans were present at Letham Pools and an Osprey headed north over Loch Gelly (18th).

A Greenland White-fronted Goose was with 200+ Greylags near Saline,19 Waxwings lingered near Leuchars Railway Station and Edenside held one Little Egret, eight Brent Geese, 50+ Shelducks, 22 Teal, three Goldeneyes, two Goosanders, c100 Knot and ten Tree Sparrows. Two Teal were at Creich Pond with 35 of this species also at Luthrie Floods along with two Shelducks, 14 Mallards, c175 Wigeon and four Shovelers (19th). An Osprey flew north over Aberdour and two Snow Buntings were on the beach north of Kingsbarns (20th). At least ten Waxwings were between Guardbridge and Leuchars and the Black-necked Grebe was still very close off Elie (21st).

The next day was a busy one starting with an immature Marsh Harrier, 72 Whooper Swans and two Chiffchaffs at Newburgh, 30 Waxwings over the Fife end of the Tay Bridge, and flocks of ten and 27 Whooper Swans north over Anstruther. Six Chiffchaffs were noted at Cullaloe NR, a Jay was at Morendy Wood and there was a report of an Iceland Gull at Otterston Loch. Four Dabchicks, eight Teal, two Gadwall, 60 Curlews and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were noted at Morton Lochs NNR and sightings at Edenside included two Little Egrets, a Peregrine, one Kingfisher, 76 Curlews, c250 Redshanks and nine Tree Sparrows. A Great Northern Diver and 300+ Eiders were off Tayport Harbour, c20 Yellowhammers were present at Craigie Farm and a count at Newton Sand & Gravel Pit included nine Canada Geese, seven Dabchicks, 35 Tufted Ducks, seven Goldeneyes, a Sparrowhawk, one Snipe, 14 Lapwings and three Skylarks (22nd). A Wheatear was seen near Loch Glow. Single Chiffchaffs were noted at Burntisland, at Kenly Water and at Kilminning where there was a White Wagtail with this species also turning up at Kingsbarns along with 14 Whooper Swans. Greenshanks numbered seven at at Kinkell Harbour with singles at Kittock’s Den and East Sands, St Andrews (23rd). Three Shovelers were observed at Valleyfield Lagoons (24th). A Chiffchaff was west of Culross with two of this species at Auchtermuchty Common, accompanied by 18 Fieldfares. Four Goldeneyes and two Goosanders were noted at Newburgh while Lindores Loch held 14 Mute Swans, c25 Tufted Ducks then at Luthrie Floods 16 Goldeneyes and seven Shelducks, 60 Teal, two drake Shovelers and 14 Lapwings were noted. The Smew at Lochore Meadows CP and the Black-necked Grebe at Elie were still present and correct (25th). Two Sand Martins passed over Glenrothes, a Red-necked Grebe and nine Slavonian Grebes were seen from Lower Largo and two Short-eared Owls were at Caiplie. Visits to freshwater sites produced 20 Greylags, 25 Tufted Ducks, 11 Goldeneyes and three Chiffchaffs at Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR, four Great Crested Grebes, 40+ Greylags, 37 Tufted Ducks and two Chiffchaffs at Mountcastle GP then one Great Crested Grebe, five Teal, 16 Gadwall, a drake Pochard and 100+ Black-headed Gulls at Letham Pools (27th).

An adult male Hen Harrier was present at Knockhill and the Nuthatches remained in place at Ravenscraig Park (28th). A Raven flew over West Muircambus, two Chiffchaffs were singing at Tayfield and four Wheatears were present at Balcomie beach. A report from Edenside included seven Pink-feet, 75 Shelducks, ten Teal, five Goldeneyes, seven Lesser Black-backed Gulls and seven Tree Sparrows (29th). 50+ Whooper Swans flew over Anstruther Wester, two Red Kites coming in off the Forth at Ferry Hills was a particularly notable report and a Short-eared Owl was seen between Leslie and Craigmead (30th). A Marsh Harrier was present and 32 Whooper Swans passed over Newburgh and the month finished in colourful fashion with the Black-necked Grebe now in summer plumage off Elie Harbour (31st).

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott

Reports commenced with five Waxwings feeding on Rosehips at a school in Dalgety Bay (1st), a Raven and an immature Marsh Harrier were noted at Newburgh and the two Surf Scoters were still present off the Golf Museum car park at St Andrews (2nd). A Raven was seen at Culross in the morning then six Waxwings were at Leuchars Railway Station and a Kingfisher and two Greenshanks were at the end of the Bluther Burn, Newmills (3rd). An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen briefly at Buckhaven and favourites from last month were still around in the form of the two Nuthatches at Ravenscraig Park and the Black-necked Grebe at Elie. A report from Edenside included ten Brent Geese, 88 Shelducks, c150 Wigeon, 33 Teal, 38 Mallards, three Goldeneyes, 11 Lapwings, c70 Black-tailed Godwits, four Great Black-backed Gulls and at least ten Tree Sparrows (4th). The two Nuthatches continued to invite visits to Ravenscraig Park as did the Surf Scoters to St Andrews whilst five Snow Buntings were present at Out Head (5th). A Merlin was in a field near Leuchars railway station, four Waxwings were in Jubilee Park, Dalgety Bay, four Snow Buntings were present at Out Head and ten Crossbills were seen feeding at Tentsmuir (6th). A Little Egret was seen just off the harbour at St Andrews, c160 Bramblings were near Struthers Farm, Craigrothie and a Ring-necked Parakeet was seen again in Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy (7th).

Five Golden Plovers were in a field on the road from Kinshaldy to Leuchars, a Merlin, a Crossbill and a Stonechat were noted at Earlshall Muir and one Great Northern Diver passed south at Seafield. 16 (eight adult/eight immature) Mute Swans were recorded at Letham Pools, c200 Wigeon, c30 Teal and six Gadwalls were counted at Luthrie Flood and c7000 Black-headed Gulls and c3000 Common Gulls were estimated at Burntisland (9th). In the Lomond Hills, a Merlin was seen close to Craigmead and at least ten Skylarks were singing and pairing up at West Lomond. A female/first winter Marsh Harrier patrolled Rossie Bog, an adult Mediterranean Gull was at the customary Buckhaven haunt, the redhead Smew was still present at Lochore Meadows CP and two Nuthatches were calling and showing well at Ravenscraig Park (10th). The Black-necked Grebe was still off Elie pier, a Woodcock was noted at Kilminning and 133 Bramblings were in one bush near Struthers Farm outside Craigrothie. Meanwhile, at Fife Ness, three Great Northern Divers and four Red-throated Divers were seen, all going south (11th). A report from Edenside included two Little Egrets, c120 Lapwings, c15 Tree Sparrows and three Long-tailed Tits (12th). A Raven was noted at Kilrenny, 12 Whooper Swans were counted at Guardbridge, a single Snow Bunting was at Out Head and the two Surf Scoters lingered at St Andrews (14th).

The two Nuthatches were seen together at Ravenscraig Park and the Brambling count at Struthers Farm increased to 183. Letham Pools hosted 760 Pink-feet along with a  Greenland White-front and a probable Bean/Pink-foot hybrid. Morton Lochs NNR held four Mute Swans, five Canada Geese, nine Wigeon, 34 Teal, 18 Mallards, eight Tufted Ducks and ten Coots. A report from Newton Farm & Sand Pit Ponds included ten Canada Geese, one Shelduck, five Gadwalls, 38 Tufted Ducks, 26 Goldeneyes, 12 Coots, c50 Lapwings and c15 Moorhens while sightings at Linkswood included two Canada Geese, 12 Wigeon, five Moorhens and a Jay (15th).The Nuthatches at Ravenscraig Park were accompanied by two Ravens and a Goldcrest (16th). An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Loch Gelly as well as a Lesser Black-backed Gull, ten Goosanders and three Whooper Swans. 103 Corn Buntings were counted at Bowhouse Farm, St Monans. A Sooty Shearwater was seen feeding amongst a gull flock off Kinghorn where there were also 18 Red-throated Divers, five Long-tailed Ducks and two Purple Sandpipers. A Greenland White-fronted Goose was still present in a large mixed flock of Pink-feet near Mountcastle GP. The Water Pipit continued its residence at Cocklemill Burn, a Whimbrel was present at Ruddons Point and a Long-eared Owl was seen beside houses at Cluny (17th). The redhead Smew was observed again at Lochore Meadows CP, a first winter Little Gull was spied at Burntisland and a juvenile female Goshawk was seen over Anstruther. At Tayport Pond, two Mute Swans, three Wigeon, 22 Mallards and nine Moorhens were counted (18th). At Cocklemill Burn, the Water Pipit was accompanied by a Little Egret, 30 Reed Buntings and a Stonechat  while Cameron Reservoir hosted 14 Mute Swans, four Teal, 11 Wigeon, 25 Tufted Ducks, seven Goldeneyes and 15 Coots (19th). A Wigeon, one Teal, three Red-throated Divers, seven Common Scoters, two Fulmars and two Kittiwakes were all noted at Fife Ness (20th).

Guardbridge held 17 Waxwings, then an immature Marsh Harrier was seen over Mugdrum Island and a report from Letham Pools included five Dabchicks, 11 Mute Swans, 61 Greylag Geese, three Shelducks, 57 Teal, 11 Mallards, one Gadwall, six Goldeneyes, 19 Coots and 28 Lapwings (22nd). Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were present at Out Head, a Greenshank was on the rocks below St Andrews Castle and a Mediterranean Gull was present at Dalgety Bay. Two redhead Smew lingered at Cameron Reservoir, where there were also 25 Whooper Swans, and the two Nuthatches were showing at Ravenscraig Park again. A first winter Mediterranean Gull flew east past Dysart Harbour, a Greenland White-front was in the Letham/Mountcastle area and a Greenshank was on the rocks off St Andrews pier. 14 Crossbills were seen at Morton Lochs NNR and 100 Pink-feet were noted at Anstruther (23rd).

Kirkcaldy’s Ring-necked Parakeet was seen flying around the Chapel area, then joined the Nuthatch at Ravenscraig Park, 25 Crossbills were watched near Heggies Muir Wood and 20+ Bramblings were seen from the Letham Pools road. Tentsmuir hosted at least nine Crossbills and two Green Woodpeckers then three Little Egrets were present at Tayport and a single female Snow Bunting was present at Out Head (24th). A Raven, c2800 Pink-feet and one European White-fronted Goose were counted at Parkhill Farm and an unspecified number of Scaup were seen offshore at Out Head where a Snow Bunting and a Raven were present. Sightings at Linkswood Pond and Flood included three Dabchicks, c45 Greylag Geese over, eight Wigeon,14 Teal and four Gadwalls (25th).

A female Snow Bunting was still present at Out Head, a female Merlin was seen at Cullaloe NR, two Grey Wagtails were noted at Burnside, Cupar and 12 Twite were seen in fields near Boarhills Pond. A report from Newton Sandpit included eight Dabchicks, ten Whooper Swans, three Canada Geese, two Shelducks, 18 Teal, 12 Wigeon, eight Mallards, six Gadwalls, 30 Tufted Ducks, ten Goldeneyes and 12 Coots (26th). A Marsh Harrier (immature) was present again at Mugdrum Island (27th) and ten Crossbills were at Lochore Meadows CP where the redhead Smew was still present (28th).

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott

Observers were out in force on the first day of the year, perhaps engaged in traditional New Year’s Day excursions. They discovered some birds from last month extending their residence in to 2019 e.g. the Black-necked Grebe at Elie, the two Surf Scoters at St Andrews and the Water Pipit at Cocklemill Burn. A Red-necked Grebe was present at Ruddons Point and 122 Corn Buntings were counted between Waterless Bridge and Ardross Farm. A Chiffchaff was near the coastal path at Dysart, a Greenshank was at Kenly Burn, Boarhills and a Pomarine Skua was harassing large gulls well out from Kingsbarns beach. Lochore Meadows CP hosted a redhead Smew, a Great Crested Grebe and 16 Whooper Swans on the main loch with five Pintails and three Gadwall at the nature reserve end and a Kingfisher was at Kilconquhar Loch (1st). A redhead Smew was also at Cameron Reservoir along with eight Crossbills and three Whooper Swans. The Water Pipit, the Black-necked Grebe and the two Surf Scoters were at their usual locations and were also noted on the following two days. A Raven was seen over the caravan park at Shell Bay (2nd). Many of the freshwater bodies were iced over to a variable extent with reports of 13 Mute Swans, 14 Mallards and five Goldeneyes at Letham Pools, seven Mute Swans, six Whooper Swans, 23 Mallards, eight Gadwall, c50 Tufted Ducks and 11 Goldeneyes at Mountcastle GP, eight Mute Swans, eight Goldeneyes, c65 Coots and a Jay at Angle Park GP, and ten Wigeon, 12 Tufted Ducks, five Goldeneyes, 27 Black-headed Gulls and five Common Gulls at Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR. 16 Waxwings were in central Kirkcaldy (3rd) and 15 of this species were reported at Ballantager Farm the following day. A Great Northern Diver and a Slavonian Grebe joined the Black-necked Grebe at Elie and an adult Mediterranean Gull, two Manx Shearwaters and a Red-necked Grebe were all noted off Kinghorn. The Kingdom kicked off its 2019 share of the Brambling influx with c40 south of Craigrothie whilst c30 Twite were in a field near St Monans. Cameron Reservoir held two redhead Smew (4th) then the redhead at Lochore Meadows CP was accompanied by 22 Whooper Swans on the main Loch with five Pintails on the nature reserve. A male Peregrine was seen at St Andrews, 15 Tree Sparrows were noted at Edenside and the Black-necked Grebe at Elie had a Red-throated Diver and six Long-tailed Ducks for company (5th) and was seen again the next day. Morton Lochs NNR hosted four Crossbills and five Bramblings before an adult Mediterranean Gull was picked out at in a high tide roost at Burntisland (7th).

The Water Pipit was with five Rock Pipits at Cocklemill Burn, a single Whimbrel was present at Ruddons Point, two Wigeon, eight Teal, 16 Mallards and 14+ Moorhens frequented Tayport Pond with ten Wigeon offshore there. The Smew count at Cameron Reservoir rose to three, two Slavonian Grebes were offshore at Out Head, and 12 Crossbills and eight Bramblings were seen at Morton Lochs NNR. 40 Twite were in a field near Pittenweem whilst a Peregrine and Sparrowhawk didn’t seem to deter the c100 Bramblings at Craigrothie. Two Shovelers were in Dalgety Bay and the two Surf Scoters loitered at St Andrews (8th) and were spied again the next day as well as 80+ Scaup and a Slavonian Grebe, with a Greenshank on the rocks. Three Brent Geese and two Slavonian Grebes were seen in Balgove Bay, the Brambling flock at Craigrothie numbered c40 and were joined by unspecified numbers of Yellowhammers and Corn Buntings. Cocklemill Burn’s Water Pipit lingered as did Elie’s Black-necked Grebe, with a Great Northern Diver and two Red-throated Divers there also (9th). Lochore Meadows CP still had the redhead Smew, six Pintails and 25 Whooper Swans, the Cocklemill Burn Water Pipit was joined by a Jack Snipe, a Whimbrel and a Water Rail (10th) and the pipit was noted again the next day when a Kingfisher was at Kilconquhar Loch and two redhead Smews were still present at Cameron Reservoir where seven Crossbills included a singing immature male. Two coveys of nine and ten Grey Partridges were welcome sightings at Cellardyke where 95 Curlews were on a fresh winter crop before two Chiffchaffs and two Crossbills were observed at Kilrenny (11th). 2000 Pink-feet and a finch flock of ‘hundreds’, including Goldfinches, Linnets, Tree Sparrows and buntings, were noted between Ardross and Balbuthie and three Waxwings were just north of Leuchars Railway station. Morton Lochs NNR hosted ten Crossbills, a Little Egret, 20 Redpolls, 20+ Siskins and three Bramblings while ten Crossbills were also seen at Kinshaldy Car Park. The two drake Surf Scoters remained at St Andrews (12th) and a Nuthatch was seen with a Treecreeper in Kirkcaldy’s Ravenscraig Park. The Morton Lochs NNR Crossbills increased to c12 and there were now two Little Egrets there. Four Waxwings were present between Guardbridge and Leuchars rail station (13th) with three seen at Leuchars Rail Signal Box North the next day when c70 Bramblings were between Craigrothie and Union Farm. Meanwhile Tentsmuir Point NNR held one Little Egret, a Greenshank, a Green Woodpecker and a Merlin, then a report from Out Head / Balgove comprised 54 Pintails, 11 Slavonian Grebes and 14 Brent Geese. An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the beach at Burntisland and there was a further report of a Nuthatch at Ravenscraig Park (14th) and also the following day.

Lindores Loch hosted 22 (and six immature) Mute Swans, 18 Wigeon and ten Goosanders. Four Waxwings were seen again between Guardbridge and Leuchars rail station and the long-staying Water Pipit and the two drake Surf Scoters were in their usual haunts (15th). Newton Farm & Sandpit Ponds held seven Dabchicks ten Mute Swans (including six immatures), ten Canada Geese, c75 Wigeon, 41 Mallards, 18 Tufted Ducks, two Gadwall, 23 Goldeneyes, 14 Moorhens, six Coots and a Kestrel. Around c500 Woodpigeons were note at Linkswood while a single Waxwing was seen near Leuchars rail station (17th). A report from an icy Morton Lochs NNR included six Wigeon, c45 Teal, four Grey Partridges, a Kestrel, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, a Jay, 33 Fieldfares, six Great Tits, four Long-tailed Tits, six Goldfinches, two Bullfinches and a Yellowhammer. A Kestrel and c25 Fieldfares were noted at Gauldry. Elie’s Black-necked Grebe was accompanied by three Red-throated Divers and was also seen the following day, the Surf Scoters were spied at St Andrews again and the Ravenscraig Park Nuthatch (18th) was joined by another the next day. A Short-eared Owl ranged widely over the golf course at Kingsbarns and five Twite and a Red-throated Diver were seen in Balgove Bay. Larid reports included an argentatus Herring Gull at Seafield, single adult Mediterranean Gulls at Buckhaven and Loch Gelly and a first winter bird at Ruddons Point with two of this species also noted off Kinghorn, as well as 35 Long-tailed Ducks, and nine Purple Sandpipers were on the rocks there (19th). The adult Mediterranean Gull was present again at Buckhaven, Elie’s Black-necked Grebe remained and the two ‘Surfies’ at St Andrews had six Velvet Scoters and around ten Scaup for company. At higher altitude, a Snow Bunting was on the east side of East Lomond and also a Merlin. Seven Crossbills frequented Morton Lochs NNR while only one Nuthatch was reported at Ravenscraig Park (20th) and also the following day. Cocklemill Burn’s Water Pipit was still in place, with a Stonechat and a Green Sandpiper also in the area (21st).

Seven Crossbills were in conifers in Glenrothes, a Dipper was at Burnside, Cupar and the Black-necked Grebe was still present at Elie (22nd). Kirkcaldy’s parks yielded not only the Nuthatch at Ravenscraig again but also a Ring-necked Parakeet in Beveridge Park, bringing back memories of the bird which patrolled the town a few years ago. A Kestrel, c15 Fieldfares and three Red-legged Partridges were noted at Gauldry and Crossbill numbers at Cameron Reservoir were estimated to be ten, with c90 Rooks seen at Hillcairnie (23rd). A Kestrel was at Peacehill Farm and larger raptors, in the form of a White-tailed Eagle and an immature Marsh Harrier, were seen at Newburgh as well as two Ravens. An hour of observation at Fife Ness produced a Great Northern Diver, eight Red-throated Divers, a Fulmar, a Kittiwake, three Long-tailed Ducks and a Razorbill with a small flock of Golden Plovers noted in a field east of Crail.The ‘long-stayers’ were still around: the Smew at Lochore Meadows CP, the Black-necked Grebe at Elie, the two Surf Scoters off St Andrews (with a Greenshank on the rocks) and the Nuthatches (back up to two) at Ravenscraig Park (24th). 60+ Scaup joined the scoters at St Andrew’s, a redhead Smew and a Green Sandpiper were at Kilconquhar Loch then Edenside had 108 Shelducks, two Buzzards, c200 Lapwings, c300 Dunlins and 18 Black-tailed Godwits (25th). A notable record came from Seafield where a Sooty Shearwater was seen from Seafield Tower and was then seen from Kinghorn with a feeding gull flock. It was picked out again later in the day, still off Kinghorn and resting on the sea while six Purple Sandpipers, two Red-throated Divers, a Manx Shearwater and 200+ Kittiwakes were also recorded there. A Chiffchaff was in an Anstruther garden, the Smew loitered at Kilconquhar Loch, as did the Black-necked Grebe at Elie (26th) and one of the Nuthatches at Ravenscraig Park. A report from Mountcastle GP included three pairs of Mute Swans, 22 Wigeon, 25 Mallards, c80 Tufted Ducks and 17 Goldeneyes then c100 Twite were spotted heading east towards the sea at Boarhills. Seawatching at Kinghorn produced 5,000+ Guillemots/Razorbills, one Manx Shearwater, a Little Gull, ten Long-tailed Ducks and six Purple Sandpipers (27th). A probable Estonian colour-ringed Common Gull was on the beach at Burntisland as was an adult Mediterranean Gull with a Belgian or Dutch ring (white), different to the one noted on 7th (28th), then an un-ringed adult was there the next day.

At Boarhills c100 Twite were still present (29th). The Short-eared Owl was still floating over the golf course at Kingsbarns, five Waxwings were seen at Dalgety Bay and Edenside hosted a Little Egret, ten Brent Geese, 100+ Shelducks, four Dabchicks, c30 Mallards, 22 Teal, four Long-tailed Ducks, 88 Lapwings, 20 Grey Plovers, 28 Black-tailed Godwits and c20 Tree Sparrows (30th). Tentsmuir Point NNR produced a Greenshank, one Green Woodpecker calling, a single Raven calling  and three Snow Buntings with four Crossbills at Kinshaldy car park. Further south at Kinghorn 6000-7000 gulls were seen spread out from Burntisland towards Kirkcaldy in a huge line of which at least 2000 were Black-headed Gulls. A Red-necked Grebe was off Seafield and Kirkcaldy’s Ring-necked Parakeet flew over, not Beveridge Park, but a different part of the Lang Toun (31st).

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott