chair

The month opened with a Common Redstart visiting the recycling centre in Pittenweem then a juvenile Whinchat was at Wester Kilwhiss before five hours of seawatching at Fife Ness produced nine Bonxies, six Arctic Skuas, nine Red-throated Divers,12 Common Scoters, one Whimbrel and a Teal. Sightings at  Boarhills included 400+ Canada Geese, two Whimbrels and a  Willow Warbler. Seen from the Eden Estuary Centre were four Greenshanks, two Kingfishers, two Ospreys, a Peregrine, one Spotted Redshank, four Little Egrets and two Pintails. Kilconquhar Loch hosted three Common Swifts, nine Willow Warblers, four Chiffchaffs and a Sedge Warbler. In the evening three juvenile Black Terns were among Common and Sandwich Terns at high tide at Pettycur (1st). The following day produced two juvenile Black Terns off Kinghorn in the early morning before three were seen at Pettycur Beach again where a single juvenile Mediterranean Gull was also present. Also off Kinghorn were six Arctic Skuas, one Bonxie and two Red-throated Divers. Along at Ferry Hills a morning vis mig watch produced four Arctic Skuas, a Yellow Wagtail and 80 Tree Pipits over. Meanwhile up at the Eden Estuary Centre one Spotted Redshank, four+ Greenshanks, two Ruff, four Ospreys, a Pintail, three Little Egrets, and a Kingfisher were all noted whilst eight Brent Geese, 160+ Black-tailed Godwits, four Ruff and two Ospreys were seen nearby from the Balgove Hide (2nd). At Wilderness six Black-tailed Godwits, one Wood Sandpiper, a Dunlin, a single Ruff and a Snipe were all noted. A juvenile Common Rosefinch was at the bottom end of Kilminning in a rosehip area before it then flew calling towards the top end (4th).Two Curlew Sandpipers, four Little Egrets, four Greenshanks, c200 Canada Geese, 14 Greylag Geese, one Kingfisher, and a Ruff were observed from the Eden Estuary Centre whilst two Bonxies and an Arctic Skua were noted off Kinghorn (6th). Still on the same stretch of coast a juvenile Black Tern, three Bonxies and four Arctic Skuas were seen at Pettycur the next day and eight Arctic Skuas, seven Bonxies and ten Turnstones passed Kinghorn in the afternoon. Up at Anstruther there were three first year Mediterranean Gulls and a report from the Eden Estuary Centre included three Curlew Sandpipers, five Greenshanks, a Little Egret, c240 Canada Geese and a pair of Pintails (7th).

A busy few days commenced when further seawatching at Kinghorn brought seven Bonxies, seven Arctic Skuas, three Red-throated Divers, two Slavonian Grebes and two juvenile Black Terns. As the month progressed there were far fewer terns around at Tentsmuir Point NNR but two Arctic Skuas were present. Two Scaup were on Beveridge Park pond in the morning whilst along at Ferry Hills one Great Northern Diver, two Arctic Skuas, a Bonxie, one Spotted Flycatcher, 13 Tree Pipits and 780 Meadow Pipits were all counted. Meanwhile at Dalgety Bay

one Pomarine Skua and two Arctic Skuas were off the sailing club and a strong Meadow Pipit passage was also evident here.  A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found halfway between Kenly Burn mouth and Kingsbarns on the coastal path and was last seen in a field near Kingsbarns golf course. A Tystie was offshore at Ruddons Point and one Bonxie, three Arctic Skuas, 24 Brent Geese and one Osprey were spied from Out Head. A Marsh Harrier flew south over St Andrews and seven Pale-bellied Brent Geese passed at Fife Ness. At East Wemyss numbers of Mediterranean Gulls were picking up again after a low of “just” 25 a few days previously. This time seven adults, one 2nd winter and 52 juveniles were counted (8th) and a juvenile/1st winter was noted at Pathhead the next day. Along at Kinghorn a Black-throated Diver, seven Red-throated Divers, a Ruff and two Arctic Skuas were noted. At Eden Estuary LNR three Curlew Sandpipers, an Osprey and five Little Egrets were counted. Up at Kingsbarns, on the Fife Coastal path towards the Kenly Water, two Yellow Wagtails, two White Wagtails, a Whinchat, four Stonechats, one Wheatear and a juvenile Arctic Tern were recorded. Freshwater counts included 16 Dabchicks, nine Mute Swans, 28 Mallards and nine Tufted Ducks at Newton Sand & Gravel Pit, six Dabchicks at Drumoig, three Grey Herons, five Dabchicks, 93 Mallards, 40 Teal, eight Moorhens, six Coots and a Jay at Morton Lochs NNR, and seven Dabchicks and two Jays at Linkswood Pond. 21 Brent Geese and a Bonxie went past Crail in 30 minutes whilst at Fife Ness there were two Arctic Skuas north, a total of 32 Brent Geese passed south, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull went north, a Great Northern Diver and five Red-throated Divers passed high west and 30 Golden Plovers were on the rocks (9th) then further observations there the next day produced one Manx Shearwater, an Arctic Skua, three Bonxies, c40 Red-throated Divers, 20+ Common Scoters, 11 Brent Geese, 40+ Knot, two Purple Sandpipers and two Common Terns. At Tentsmuir a Little Stint was at the Lagoon then at the Point one Arctic Skua, two Red-throated Divers, a Raven and six Stonechats were noted (10th). Nine Black Terns were on the beach at low tide at Pettycur and another two of this species were noted at Anstruther. At East Wemyss the Mediterranean Gull tally was eight adults, one 2nd winter and 59 juveniles and there were four juveniles at Anstruther. Six Little Egrets were present at Eden Estuary LNR (11th) and the following day a Little Stint was seen from the Edenside Hide (12th). A report from Out Head included one Bonxie, three Arctic Skuas, one White-tailed Eagle, an Osprey, three Red-throated Divers, 131 Pink-feet over, four Stonechats and two Wheatears. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull and five Goosanders were noted at Anstruther. Three Curlew Sandpipers, four Ospreys, 120 Pink-feet and six Greenshanks were all seen from the Eden Estuary Centre and nearby at Balgove Bay there were two Ruff, ten Brent Geese, 100+ Black-tailed Godwits, one Common Tern and two Ospreys (13th). Further sightings from the Eden Estuary Centre the following day included one Little Egret, two Ospreys, a Buzzard, c250 Lapwings, c300 Redshanks, a Greenshank, two Swallows  and two Tree Sparrows. A juvenile Spotted Redshank was present at Letham Pools then Wilderness hosted a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, two Ruff, a Dunlin, two Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank, a Golden Plover and 20 Pink-feet (14th).

The Pectoral Sandpiper, a Ruff and a Greenshank were still at Wilderness the next day as well as five Crossbills while six House Martins were still active over Gauldry. A Spotted Flycatcher, a Jay, a Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler were present at Kilminning where many incoming Pink-feet were noted and skeins of 20 and 120 of this species were also seen over Auchtermuchty where three Kestrels, three Jays and a Chiffchaff were at the Common. A Short-eared Owl passed over Ferry Hills and an adult male and female Wheatear and a flock of c450 Starlings were noted at Plains Farm, Dunshalt. Two Curlew Sandpipers, seven Ruff, three Little Egrets and an Osprey were seen from the Edenside hide (15th). A Water Rail was noted at Letham Pools whilst Wilderness hosted a Spotted Redshank, two Ruff, a single Black-tailed Godwit, a single Pink-footed Goose and also a Pectoral Sandpiper (16th ) which was still present the following afternoon. A female/immature Merlin was at Kilminning whilst c80 Golden Plovers were nearby at Barnsmuir. A Black Redstart was present at Caiplie Caves, six House Martins were still around at Gauldry and Wormit Farm Pond held two Mute Swans, two Moorhens, four Robins, eight Blackbirds and 12 Swallows (17th). Unusually a Spotted Redshank passed west at Pittenweem, the juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was still present at Wilderness along with a Spotted Redshank and two Ruff whilst a juvenile Pomarine Skua, three Arctic Skuas, eight Bonxies, and eight Common Scoters all passed west at Pettycur. The evening Mediterranean Gull count at East Wemyss was 31 including two adults and 29 moulting juvenile/first winters (18th). A Spotted Redshank and a female Marsh Harrier were noted at Letham Pools (19th). The Black Redstart was still at Caiplie Caves and six Little Egrets, two Curlew Sandpipers, 235 Knot, 14 Greenshanks and four Ruff were all counted at Eden Estuary LNR (20th). A Merlin was at Dunino and the evening roost at East Wemyss included an adult, a second winter and 18 moulting juvenile Mediterranean Gulls as well as 203 Black-headed Gulls, one adult Common Gull and three Sandwich Terns (21st).

A Ruff was present at Carnbee Reservoir and a string of c95 Whooper Swans were seen heading up the Forth offshore from Crail and many Pink-feet were on a similar track over Anstruther. A Lapland Bunting passed south over the west side of town St Andrews where a Ring-necked Parakeet of unknown provenance was flying around the Bogward Road area. Wilderness hosted two Whooper Swans and two Ruff whilst the morning report from Ferry Hills was 20 Red-throated Divers, a single Black-throated Diver, one Great Northern Diver, a Bonxie, one Merlin, 1,058 Pink-feet and 699 Meadow Pipits over. Four adult and three first winter Mediterranean Gulls (including 3ERA) were present at East Wemyss during the day before the evening roost tally came to nine adults and 32 first winters (22nd). A Lesser Whitethroat was in a Cellardyke garden and the Black Redstart was still present at Caiplie Caves (25th).17 Barnacle Geese passed over Crail heading south west and 15 Barnacles were low over Cellardyke heading south-west and 42 of this species were seen at Fife Ness as well as ten Wigeon, four Red-throated Divers, 23 Common Scoters, one Arctic Skua, three Sandwich Terns, a Common Tern, three Snipe, a Sparrowhawk on the rocks and a Kestrel over the sea. An adult Mediterranean Gull was in a ploughed field north of Kingsbarns, a Little Egret flew south over the bridge at Guardbridge then in the evening Wilderness held two Ruff, four Black-tailed Godwits and 12 Whooper Swans (26th). The Black Redstart was still present at Caiplie Caves and a Little Egret flew east along the shore at Caiplie whilst several Pink-feet skeins were over south-west. A juvenile Pomarine Skua, two adult Little Gulls and a Bonxie were noted at Crail. Eight Greenshanks and six Little Egrets were observed from the Edenside hide and in the wider Eden Estuary LNR area there were 49 Barnacle Geese, 350 Pink-feet, two Pintails, 13 Greenshanks, one Peregrine and two Kingfishers. An adult Pomarine Skua, 16 Arctic Skuas and 28 Red-throated Divers were spied off Fife Ness and Wilderness hosted 12 Whooper Swans, two Goldeneyes, two Ruff, four Black-tailed Godwits and two Crossbills. The East Wemyss evening roost count was five adults, one second winter and 30 first winter Mediterranean Gulls (27th). Further seawatching at Fife Ness resulted in a count of one juvenile Long-tailed Skua, one Bonxie, four Great Northern Divers, 39 Red-throated Divers, 488 Barnacle Geese, 33 Pink-feet, three Golden Plovers, 21 Sandwich Terns, 11 Common Scoters and a Kestrel which came in off sea (28th).

At Ferry Hills seven adult Pomarine Skuas were seen circling over the Forth and probably landed on the water and a Merlin was also seen. The Whooper Swan count at Wilderness rose to 20 and two Red-legged Partridges were at Ballindean Farm, Gauldry. A Fife Ness report included two Arctic Skuas, two Manx and two Sooty Shearwaters, five Red-throated Divers, 12 Common Scoters, three Velvet Scoters, 80 Pink-feet and three Purple Sandpipers whilst two Wheatears were on the Coastal Path at Cellardyke (29th).

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott

Mediterranean Gulls at East Wemyss:

On the first day of the month three were present in the morning then one adult and four juveniles, one with yellow darvic ring: AYYT, were reported (1st).

Three juveniles present  then at the evening roost there were 13 birds comprising three adults (including red darvic) and ten juveniles (all unringed) (2nd).

An adult and ten juveniles present including AYYT (3rd).

Two adults and four juveniles including yellow AYYT and AYKJ noted then 15 birds present comprising three adults (red PRP6) and 12 juveniles including yellow AYYT (4th).

Three juveniles then later four adults and nine juveniles (5th).

Eight adult, one first summer and 13 juveniles present (8th).

Three adults and 12 juveniles noted then at the evening roost 30 were counted, comprising 26 juveniles (including yellow darvic), three adults (including red PRP6) and a first summer (with metal ring) – a new Fife record count (11th).

11 juveniles (13th).

The  Fife Record count was extended to 36 with six adults, one first summer and 29 juveniles (15th).

Ten reported including yellow ATUK and red PRP6 (17th).

An evening count increased the record to 37 with 33 juveniles including yellow ATUK, three adults including white 3ERA, and one first summer (almost moulted into second winter plumage) (19th).

24 present with 18 moulting juveniles and six adults including 3ERA then a roost count brought the record up to 54 with five adults, including PRP6 and 36L1, and 49 juveniles (21st).

The record became 62 with five adults, including red PRP6 and white 3ERA, two second winter birds and 55 moulting juveniles including yellow ATUK (23rd).

Only (!) 58 noted – eight adults including red PRP6, white 3ERA and 36L1 along with two second winters (one metal ringed) and 48 moulting juveniles including yellow ATUK (25th).

The record of 62 was equalled in the evening with five adults, including 36L1 and PRP6, one second winter and 56 juveniles including ATUK (27th).

Other Sightings:

Wilderness held one Wood Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, two Ruff, four Greenshanks, 29 Black-tailed Godwits, four Dunlins and two Common Sandpipers (1st) and the following day the same site had one Ruff, four Greenshanks, three Dunlins, three Common Sandpipers and 20 Black-tailed Godwits. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was present at West Wemyss then a Green Sandpiper and six Common Sandpipers turned up at Loch Gelly before Fife Ness produced four Manx Shearwaters, 38 Knot and seven Sandwich Terns (2nd). A report from Ferry Hills included 89 Tree Pipits, 74 Arctic Terns in two flocks high inland as well as eight Whimbrels and ten Crossbills (3rd) then this site produced 110 Tree Pipits the next day when a count from Fife Ness comprised a Sooty Shearwater, 27 Manx Shearwaters, two Bonxies, two Red-throated Divers, two adult Roseate Terns and one juvenile Mediterranean Gull (as well as 21+ Bottlenose Dolphins).Wilderness hosted two Green Sandpipers, two Greenshanks, one Ruff, 14 Snipe, and 32 Black-tailed Godwits with a female/juvenile Merlin flying through and 11 Crossbills in the roadside trees. Two Ospreys and a Little Egret were present at Edenside, an adult Little Gull was at East Wemyss, an adult Mediterranean Gull was off the  harbour at Dysart and 150 Woodpigeons were at Leckiebank Farm (4th). Four Manx Shearwaters, one Whimbrel, three Knot, 17 Dunlins (and five Bottlenose Dolphins) were seen at Fife Ness, a Whimbrel was at East Wemyss where two Arctic Terns and a Common Tern were amongst a Sandwich Tern flock and at Leven an adult Little Gull was present (5th). 14 Manx Shearwaters, a Whimbrel and a Bonxie were spied from Seafield whilst Wilderness held a Little Ringed Plover, a Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank and c30 Black-tailed Godwits (6th).

Also at Wilderness were two Greenshanks, four Dunlins, three Common Sandpipers, 15 Black-tailed Godwits as well as four Crossbills flying towards the trees at the railway line. About 80 Golden Plovers were on the rocks out from St Monans Windmill (8th). Mediterranean Gulls were present at Pathhead where there was an adult and at Buckhaven where two juveniles were joined by a Roseate Tern. 18 Mute Swans, eight Canada Geese, five Teal, four Goosanders, 55 Lapwings, 11 Knot, c35 Dunlins and two Ospreys were noted at Edenside (9th). One adult and a juvenile Grey Partridge (not often reported these days) were at Fincraigs, Gauldry and two juvenile Black Terns passed Kinghorn (10th). 200+ Common Terns were on the beach at Seafield where one Grey Plover, one Goosander, a Sparrowhawk, two Whitethroats, two Chiffchaffs and two Willow Warblers were also noted. 11 Black-tailed Godwits, a Little Ringed Plover, three Dunlins and eight Crossbills over were recorded at Wilderness, an adult Mediterranean Gull was present at Dysart and 126 Goosanders were at West Wemyss whilst a juvenile Wheatear turned up at East Wemyss. A busy day continued with three Green Sandpipers and two Common Sandpipers at Loch Gelly then ten Dabchicks, seven Teal, c70 (and eight young) Mallards, ten (and two young) Moorhens, 18+ Coots, a Kingfisher and two Willow Warblers at Morton Lochs NNR. Further freshwater reports included ten Dabchicks, 18 Mallards, 16 Tufted Ducks, three (and three young) Moorhens, nine+ Coots, six Lapwings, 20 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, four Swallows and two Stock Doves at Newton Sand & Gravel Pit then nine Dabchicks at East Links Wood Pond where there were also two Blackcaps with two young, four Willow Warblers, eight Swallows and at least ten Goldfinches (11th). Reports from seawatching at Kinghorn included one Sooty Shearwater, 19 Manx Shearwaters, two Bonxies, 24 Fulmars, 35 Kittiwakes, four Puffins and 226 Gannets then later an adult and a juvenile Roseate Tern, three Arctic Skuas, a Bonxie and six Manx Shearwaters were noted. Along at Pathhead 39 Goosanders and a Red-necked Grebe were offshore whilst a juvenile Mediterranean Gull on the grassy area there was suggested as a site first and there were also three adults present.

Balcomie Beach hosted a Common Sandpiper, 35 Dunlins, ten Sanderlings and a juvenile Wheatear. Up at Fife Ness an early report was of 100 Manx Shearwaters, two Bonxies, one Arctic Skua, a Whimbrel, two Red-throated Divers, three Common Scoters and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull then this was followed by a note of 202 Manx Shearwaters, six Sooty Shearwaters, three Bonxies, 19 Common Scoters, a Common Sandpiper, two Whimbrels and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull (12th). A further report from Fife Ness the next day comprised two Roseate Terns, two Sooty Shearwaters, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 55 Manx Shearwaters, four Little Gulls, a Ruff, one Greenshank, three Arctic Skuas, 12 Bonxies and an Osprey low north in front of the FBC hide. 47 Whimbrels flew over Dalgety Bay Sailing Club, an adult Little Gull was at East Wemyss then two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls were seen at Buckhaven (13th) before two adults were there the following day and a juvenile was at Leven where there were also 30 Goosanders. A Sooty Shearwater, c30 Manx Shearwaters, c15 Little Gulls and a Bonxie were noted off Fife Ness, a Green Sandpiper graced Loch Gelly, a Kestrel was at Myrecairnie and c60 House Sparrows were at Gauldry (14th).

A Raven flew low over the Melville Lodges roundabout while at Wilderness there were  three Green Sandpipers, one Common Sandpiper, two Dunlins, three Ruff and three Black-tailed Godwits (15th). An adult Mediterranean Gull was on playing fields at Leven and an adult and a juvenile were at Buckhaven. Two Little Egrets were at Edenside where there were also c16 Mute Swans and an Osprey (16th). Black-headed Gull JOY1 was noted back at Leven, 132 Tree Pipits passed over Ferry Hills in the early morning and Loch Gelly held two Ruff and singles of Black-tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper (17th). Three Ruff, seven Black-tailed Godwits, six Dunlins, a Snipe and one Ringed Plover were noted at Wilderness whilst seawatching at Fife Ness produced one juvenile Black Tern, two Manx Shearwaters, three Common Scoters and a Whimbrel with eight Turnstones, four Knot and a Sparrowhawk on the rocks (18th). Loch Gelly hosted a Little Egret, one Ruff and three Black-tailed Godwits were present. The FBC outing started at the Eden Estuary Centre with seven Ospreys, three Little Egrets, a Ruff, nine Greenshanks, c20 Black-tailed Godwits, two Common Sandpipers, two Kingfishers, a Knot and one Peregrine then continued with c20 Little Gulls, three Bonxies, an Arctic Skua, a Sparrowhawk, 12 Kittiwakes, and c40 Manx Shearwaters at Fife Ness. A Whimbrel was seen at East Wemyss and five Arctic Skuas were noted at Kinghorn (where a pod of c12 Bottlenose Dolphins were seen) (19th). An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Buckhaven plus at least three juveniles whilst a juvenile was also present at Levenmouth. Inland wader counts included four Ruff, one Green Sandpiper, ten Dunlins, eight Snipe and nine Black-tailed Godwits at Wilderness then at Loch Gelly there were 14 Black-tailed Godwits, one Green Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper, one Ruff and also a Little Egret (20th) followed by a report from there the next day of two Ruff, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, three Green Sandpipers, two Common Sandpipers, 53 Lapwings, a Little Egret and 179 Greylag Geese. A female Tufted Duck with four very young juveniles was noted at Letham Pools and at least 780 Little Gulls and 200+ Sandwich Terns were spied roosting at St Andrews (21st).

Five Little Egrets, four Ospreys, a Little Gull, two Ruff and 20 Greenshanks were observed from the Eden Estuary Centre, an adult winter Mediterranean Gull was present at Dalgety Bay, c380 Golden Plovers were at St Monans and there were evening reports of three Green Sandpipers and two Ruff at Wilderness and a juvenile Marsh Harrier over Loch Gelly where there were also five Common Sandpipers, four+ Black-tailed Godwits, a Green Sandpiper, two Ruff and one Little Egret (22nd). The following day brought an adult Hobby to Loch Gelly where a (white) goose sp. was seen flying away with Greylags at distance and was probably the Snow Goose that was previously seen in the Lothians. Five Little Egrets, a Kingfisher, a Little Gull, one Spotted Redshank, two Ruff and seven Ospreys were seen from the Eden Estuary Centre and one Arctic Skua, four Bonxies, two Manx Shearwaters north and  20 Little Gulls were offshore at Fife Ness (23rd). Buckhaven hosted four juvenile /first winter and an adult Mediterranean Gull and there were also 400+ Swallows west (24th). Red and white darvic ringed Black-headed Gulls were present at East Wemyss, a female Marsh Harrier was at Wilderness and a Red Kite and 105 Tree Pipits flew over Ferry Hills. Nine Wheatears were counted at Fife Ness where four Bonxies and 15 Manx Shearwaters offshore were accompanied by a Minke Whale and a Bottlenose Dolphin. Nearby at Balcomie three Wheatears and a Whimbrel were seen then along at Kilminning one Whinchat, four Wheatears, a Whimbrel and a Merlin were noted (25th). Separate reports from Fife Ness were 21 Manx Shearwaters, two Arctic Skuas, a Bonxie and a Knot then 64 Manx Shearwaters, five Common Scoters and one Knot (and c10 Bottlenose Dolphins). An early report from Kinghorn was of an adult and a juvenile Roseate Tern, a Pomarine Skua, four Arctic Skuas and five Bonxies then this was followed by sightings of 14 Little Gulls, two Manx Shearwaters, three Bonxies, seven Arctic Skuas and two Red-throated Divers. At least two Black Terns were present nearby at Pettycur (26th) where the following day three Roseate Terns (two adults, one juvenile), 320 Sandwich Terns, 84 Common Terns and 15 Arctic Terns were counted. At Kinghorn a first winter Little Gull and four juvenile Black Terns were feeding just off the harbour car park then an Arctic Skua and a juvenile/first winter Mediterranean Gull flew past west before there was a further report of a Black Tern, six Bonxies and two Arctic Skuas. Off Tentsmuir Point NNR ten Arctic Skuas and a Bonxie were noted. Loch Gelly held six Ruff, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Green Sandpiper (27th). A Black Tern lingered at Kinghorn where five Long-tailed Skuas, four dark phase Arctic Skuas, four Bonxies, seven Little Gulls and a Peregrine were all noted before further observations brought five moulting juvenile Mediterranean Gulls west, two Bonxies and three Arctic Skuas. Nearby at Pettycur four Roseate Terns (two adults and two juveniles), c350 Sandwich Terns (many with colour rings), 210 Common Terns and 40 Arctic Terns were counted. At Ferry Hills the highlights were one Black-throated Diver and 140 Tree Pipits. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was present at Anstruther Harbour and four Pale-bellied Brent Geese, four Ospreys, two Ruff and two Whimbrels were counted at Balgove Bay (28th).

Two adult Pomarine Skuas, 26 Manx Shearwaters, four Bonxies, three Arctic Skuas and six+ Bottlenose Dolphins were noted off Kinghorn (29th) and along at Burntisland two adult and one juvenile Roseate Terns were on the beach whilst a juvenile Black Tern was on the beach with Common and Sandwich Terns at Pettycur Sands. Seawatching at Kinghorn produced seven Arctic Skuas, a Bonxie and 100 Goosanders. Two Peregrines were perched on Braefoot terminal, two Wheatears were present at Braefoot Point and an Osprey passed over Inchcolm (30th). At Fife Ness there were 25 Brent Geese south, 40 Knot high south and also 32 Teal, three Goldeneyes and a Bonxie south then at Kinghorn an adult Roseate Tern and a juvenile Black Tern passed east and two Arctic Skuas were noted then the month ended with juvenile Black and Roseate Terns on Pettycur Sands (31st).

Information supplied courtesy of  Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott

A single Barnacle Goose at Barns Farm was the opening sighting of the month, a first year Mediterranean Gull was present at Wilderness where there were 20 adult Whooper Swans and two Black-tailed Godwits (1st). A minimum of 52 Bearded Tits in four flocks plus an adult female Marsh Harrier were seen at Mugdrum Island in the early morning, a Jay was at Gauldry and a report from

Lindores Loch included  two Dabchicks, 22 (12 and ten young) Mute Swans, 55 Mallards, 45 Tufted Ducks, a Great Black-backed Gull on the water and a vocal Buzzard (2nd). Seawatching at Fife Ness produced an early report of 11 Red-throated Divers, an Arctic Skua, a Velvet Scoter, nine Teal, six Manx Shearwaters, six Common Scoters and two Red-breasted Mergansers then later the tally was 11 Red-throated Divers, 13 Arctic Skuas, two Velvet Scoters, four Manx Shearwaters, one Merlin, three Common Scoters and a Bonxie. At Guardbridge one Ruff, one Greenshank, two Little Egrets and a White-tailed Eagle were seen. A single Brent Goose was feeding on the river at Levenmouth then at Barnsmuir Farm, near Crail, 75 Golden Plovers were present with another flock of c100 at Old Barns Farm in ploughed fields. A White-tailed Eagle, a Raven, a Kingfisher, four Greenshanks and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were all seen from the Eden Estuary Centre (3rd) and a Spotted Redshank, two Ruff, three Greenshanks and four Little Egrets were present there the next day (4th). A Peregrine was noted passing over Wormit, a Long-tailed Skua, two Pomarine Skuas and three Arctic Skuas were noted at Out Head whilst one Long-tailed Skua, ten Pomarine Skuas, nine Bonxies and six Arctic Skuas were counted at Ferry Hills (5th). At least 90 Rooks were counted in a field at St Michaels, three Little Gulls, a first winter Mediterranean Gull, six Manx Shearwaters, an adult Long-tailed Skua, two Arctic Skuas, 13 Bonxies, 800+ Gannets and 100+ Kittiwakes were noted off Kinghorn. A Chiffchaff was still calling at The Clink, Pitmedden Forest plus 12 Long-tailed Tits and 450 Pink-footed Geese also passed over Auchtermuchty. The Barnacle Goose was noted again at Dalgety Bay, 36 Whooper Swans were counted at Wilderness and unusually a male Bearded Tit was at Roome Bay, Crail. Highlights from vis mig watching at Ferry Hills were one female/juvenile Hen Harrier, nine Bonxies, 15 Crossbills, 260 Skylarks and 380 Chaffinches. Meanwhile two Redwings, two Chiffchaffs along with Goldcrests and Robins were new arrivals at Kilminning (6th). Offshore sightings at Kinghorn included 18 Bonxies, three Arctic Skuas, 15 Red-throated Divers, two adult and two first winter Mediterranean Gulls, a Manx Shearwater, one Black-throated Diver, a Pomarine Skua and 1450+ Gannets. Fife Ness produced three Bonxies, two Pomarine Skuas, two Sooty Shearwaters and three Manx Shearwaters whilst a juvenile Little Stint was with a group of Dunlins at Balcomie Beach. A Swallow, two Sandwich Terns, 680 Eiders, a Guillemot and 79 Cormorants were counted at Tentsmuir Point NNR (7th).

At Wilderness a pair of Scaup, six Black-tailed Godwits and seven Snipe were present, a Long-tailed Duck (first winter) frequented Kilconquhar Loch and a Little Stint was on the rocks in front of the FBC hide at Fife Ness as well as four Wheatears. A Grey Phalarope was seen close in then flew north at St Andrews Bay where two Little Gulls, 110 Kittiwakes and three Manx Shearwaters were all feeding, also seen were an Arctic Skua, a Red-throated Diver and numerous Razorbills. Later in the day a report from Fife Ness comprised six Bonxies, four Arctic Skuas, one Pomarine Skua, 36 Red-throated Divers, three Manx Shearwaters, four Sandwich Terns, ten Wigeon, five Teal, 40 Pink-footed Geese, 88 Common Scoters, one Velvet Scoter and six Red-breasted Mergansers (8th). Further observations at  Fife Ness brought six Manx Shearwaters, two Bonxies, six Red-throated Divers, five Common Scoters, one Arctic Skua, a Wheatear and 40 Golden Plovers. Upstream  at Guardbridge on a ploughed field, three Lapland Buntings, c24 Reed Buntings, c52 Yellowhammers, ten Skylarks, c540 Lapwings and 21 Whooper Swans were all noted (10th). At Ferry Hills there were 53 Bramblings and 80 Redwings. Kilminning also hosted Bramblings and Redwings as well as a Yellow-browed Warbler and one was also seen at Balcomie and at Craighead while a Great Northern Diver passed Fife Ness. A count at Newton Farm / Newton Sand & Gravel Pit / Linkswood included 13 Dabchicks, six Mute Swans (and seven young), 55 Mallards, four Teal, 13 Wigeon, seven Tufted Ducks, 11 Moorhens, three Buzzards, one female Kestrel, two Jays and five Reed Buntings. Monitoring of Morton Lochs NNR produced three Grey Herons, 73 Teal, ten Moorhens and a Lapwing (11th). At Kilrenny a Ring Ouzel, a Brambling and lots of Redwings and Blackbirds were present, a Yellow-browed Warbler was at Denburn Wood entrance and two or three of this species were at Fife Ness Muir where a Pied Flycatcher, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were also present. By Kinkell Braes Caravan Park, St Andrews were two Ring Ouzels, ten Redwings, 15 Song Thrushes, a Chiffchaff  and three Blackcaps. At Kilminning many thrushes came in overnight, Bramblings too, and at least three Ring Ouzels were present and a male Ring Ouzel was also at Craighead (12th). At least one Yellow-browed Warbler was present at Kilminning with far fewer thrushes than the day before. At the cottages at Balcomie a Chiffchaff was showing/calling with characteristics of Siberian Chiffchaff. Also there was a second ‘regular’ Chiffchaff with it and several other Chiffchaffs, a Yellow-browed Warbler, Bramblings, a Ring Ouzel and a female Redstart were present in the area. Five Hawfinches were recorded at Ferry Hills along with modest numbers of thrushes (13th). Another six Hawfinches were seen at the same site the next day as well as 100 Bramblings, 600 Redwings and a Great Northern Diver. Four Wheatears and six Stonechats were present at Out Head, a Green Sandpiper was at Wilderness along with several Goldcrests, a Redwing and a few Bramblings nearby. Four Dippers were together on Auchtermuchty Burn and 23 Grey Partridges were at Lochybank Farm, Auchtermuchty. A report from Kittock’s Den comprised one Yellow-browed Warbler, a Ring Ouzel, four Bramblings, one Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, eight Song Thrushes, one Mistle Thrush, 14 Blackbirds and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. 30 Crossbills passed over Bogward Road, St Andrews. A busy day continued with Kilminning hosting at least four Yellow-browed Warblers, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Brambling, a Siskin, a Redpoll, a Goldcrest and at least two Treecreepers. There was a report of a Little Bunting at Balcomie Farm Cottages where a female Redstart, a Brambling, Chiffchaffs and  lots of Redpolls were also seen (14th).

The female Redstart was still present there the following day then a probable Greenish Warbler and a Yellow-browed Warbler were reported from Kilminning (15th). Boarhills Pond also held a Yellow-browed Warbler and there was a fresh arrival of thrushes, with large numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares in off the sea. A Blackcap was present at Balcomie and thrush totals from Boarhills in the morning were 750 Redwings, 370 Fieldfares in off the sea and also 40 Bramblings. A male and a juvenile Ring Ouzel were at Kilminning early on then approximate counts late on were 1150 Redwings, 720 Blackbirds, 170 Fieldfares, three Ring Ouzels, three Chiffchaffs, with a scattering of Goldcrests and Chaffinches and the day count for Bramblings was 76. Edenside hosted two White-Tailed Eagles, a Buzzard, six Mute Swans, 13 Goosanders, c600 Golden Plovers, 156 Lapwings, 72 Black-tailed Godwits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, and four Tree Sparrows (16th). At Kilminning there was a huge drop in thrush numbers with ‘only’ 140 Blackbirds and  95 Redwings noted as well as two Chiffchaffs. A Marsh Harrier passed over Elie Ness and a Yellow-browed Warbler was in ‘The Patch’ at Fife Ness (17th). 30 Scaup, c800 Golden Plovers, and 110 Black-tailed Godwits were counted from the Eden Estuary Centre. Highlights from Ferry Hills were 15 Taiga Bean Geese, one Hawfinch, 41 Crossbills and 180 Bramblings. Kilconquhar Loch held 14 Pochards, two Water Rails, and a Kingfisher. Mountcastle GP hosted four Dabchicks, four Mute Swans, 19 Greylags, ten Tufted Ducks, a Buzzard and a Jay then a report from Letham Pools included two Grey Herons, seven Mute Swans (and nine young), two Pintails, 17 Gadwalls, c28 Shovelers, five Moorhens, 35 Coots and a Buzzard. Three Ravens and 20 Fieldfares were noted at Glen Vale (18th). At Earlshall Muir there was a  brief view of a harrier sp seen through trees on the Muir and also seen were two Tree Pipits, two Green Woodpeckers, ten Bramblings and five Fieldfares. Kingsbarns held 20 Twite while three adult and six first winter Mediterranean Gulls were noted at the evening roost at East Wemyss (19th). A Surf Scoter was picked out amongst the Common Scoters off West Sands, St Andrews where a Short-eared Owl was seen flying low over the sea heading towards the town. At Fife Ness 46 Little Gulls were seen going north in 30 minutes. At Balcomie there were 20+ Twite at the north end of the golf course on the coastal path (as last winter). Ferry Hills highlights were one Hawfinch (10th of the autumn!), 400 Redwings and 30 Bramblings. Off Kinshaldy 12 Slavonian Grebes, 11 Red-throated Divers, ten Long-tailed Ducks and three Common Terns were noted (20th). Further Ferry Hills highlights were one Waxwing, three Bonxies, a Great Northern Diver, with Fieldfares and Redwings in modest numbers. An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the grass at Pathhead first thing, with 28 Siskins also noted coming in off the sea. In the Saline area there were 20+ Bramblings, 124 Fieldfares, 70+ Redwings, 13 Mistle Thrushes and a Short-eared Owl flew over. At Anstruther four Little Gulls passed west then along at Crail a Little Grebe was on the sea just west of the harbour (21st).

In St Andrews, at the Spinkie Den, there was a calling Yellow-browed Warbler and also two Northern Bullfinches and four Crossbills with five Redpolls over then West Sands held a Short-eared Owl (22nd). Single Pomarine and Arctic Skuas were harassing terns on the east side of Carlingnose Point and 62 Shelducks were at Dalgety Bay. 16 (seven with nine young) Mute Swans, 70 Greylags, 14 Wigeon and eight Goosanders were all noted at Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR and two Swallows lingered at Anstruther (23rd) 35 Crossbills and three Whooper Swans were present at Morton Lochs NNR (24th). There were still five Swallows at Kilconquhar Loch where 30 Bramblings and three Whooper Swans were also present. Eden Estuary LNR held six Little Egrets, 24 Whooper Swans, 73 Scaup and 15 Greenshanks (together at the high tide roost) (25th). A Red-throated Diver was seen close in at Braefoot Point and a White-billed Diver passed south at Fife Ness in the late afternoon (26th). A Short-eared Owl was at the Goosepools. The White-billed Diver was spied again off Fife Ness where a Pomarine Skua, one Little Auk, five Great Northern Divers, 31 Red-throated Divers, 102 Long-tailed Ducks, 18 Velvet Scoters, 97 Wigeon, 148 Common Scoters, a Bonxie and three Arctic Skuas all passed. Five Brent Geese passed east at Anstruther and 18 Whooper Swans flew over Inchcolm while four Waxwings, 70 Bramblings and three Bonxies were reported from Ferry Hills (27th). At Ferry Hills the morning observations included one Black-throated Diver, a Hawfinch, one Waxwing, 210 Bramblings and a juvenile Pomarine Skua, which was seen circling with and chasing a juvenile Arctic Skua and a Bonxie! A Ring Ouzel was at Kincraig Point and a Little Auk and c50 Scaup were noted off West Sands. After regular reports during the day the eventual count from Fife Ness was one Storm Petrel, two Little Auks, one Pomarine Skua, three Bonxies, seven Great Northern Divers, one Black-throated Diver, 14 Little Gulls, one Sooty Shearwater, one Manx Shearwater, 420 Common Scoters, 19 Velvet Scoters, 125 Long-tailed Ducks, 170 Wigeon, two Scaup and seven Purple Sandpipers (28th).

At St Monans a large flock of Golden Plovers was in fields opposite Bowhouse Farm, two drake Surf Scoters were noted off the Golf Museum car park at St Andrews. Kilminning yielded a Short-eared Owl, one Woodcock and a Mealy Redpoll while a Fife Ness highlight was a juvenile Sabine’s Gull in addition to an Arctic Skua, a Bonxie and a large Kittiwake passage (29th). The Mealy Redpoll count  increased to three at Kilminning the following day when reports from Fife Ness included a Woodcock in off the sea, 50+ Kittiwakes, one Pomarine Skua, two Manx Shearwaters, two Little Gulls, six Red-throated Divers and ten Long-tailed Ducks. Meanwhile at Fife Ness Muir a Red-breasted Flycatcher was at the rear of the ringing hut and a Woodcock and a potentially northern race Treecreeper were also noted. Angle Park GP held 11 Cormorants, six Mute Swans, 88 Greylags, 15 Teal, 18 Tufted Ducks, seven Gadwalls, one Shoveler, 11 Goldeneyes, 33 Coots and a Buzzard (30th). The Red-breasted Flycatcher loitered at Fife Ness Muir and a Great Northern Diver passed Fife Ness. A tally from Edenside included five Cormorants, 26 Shelducks, 18 Mallards, 48 Teal, six Red-breasted Mergansers, c600 Golden Plovers, 24 Lapwings, a Buzzard and at least five Tree Sparrows. The month ended with two Little Gulls at Anstruther.

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott