chair

August Sightings

by

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

Next Indoor Meeting

by

The next Indoor Meeting will be ‘Birding Long Point’ on Thursday 18th October at 7.30 pm in the Dean Park Hotel.

Long Point Bird Observatory in Ontario, Canada, is the oldest bird observatory in the western hemisphere, and recently the one millionth bird was ringed at the site. Eilidh McNab spent a sunny six weeks at the observatory in 2016, and will share memories of her visit  and encourage us to make the trip over!

 

July 2018 Sightings

by

JULY 2018 SIGHTINGS

 

Proceedings commenced with 21 Black-tailed Godwits, three Common Sandpipers, a Snipe and four Crossbills at Wilderness (1st). Tayfield held 16 Mallards (including six young), one Grey Heron, five Moorhens, a Song Thrush a Blackcap and two Bullfinches (2nd). A party of 46 Goldfinches, mainly juveniles, were noted at Leckiebank Farm, Auchtermuchty (6th) and an adult Little Gull was at Ironmill Bay, Charlestown (7th).

 

Edenside hosted three Grey Herons, 31 Mute Swans, two Canada Geese, a Buzzard and an Osprey with seawatching at Anstruther producing 71 Manx Shearwaters, 20 Velvet Scoters, and a Bonxie heading east (9th). A Little Egret and two Canada Geese were seen from the Eden Estuary Centre with four Ospreys in the outer estuary (12th). 34 Manx Shearwaters passed Anstruther heading east while off Fife Ness 19 Manx Shearwaters were heading north, with six going south and two Bonxies and a Red-throated Diver passed north (13th).

 

Off Tentsmuir Point NNR c185 Little Gulls were recorded and over at Morton Lochs NNR eight Dabchicks, ten Canada Geese, 66 Mallards (including six young), two Teal, ten Moorhens, 18 Coots (including two young), a Blackcap, a Willow Warbler but just one Swift were all noted. Seven Mute Swans (including five young) were at Drumoig, five Dabchicks, eight Canada Geese and a Yellowhammer were all noted at East Links Wood Pond then a count at Newton Sand & Gravel Pit comprised ten Dabchicks (including two young), nine Mute Swans (including seven young), nine Canada Geese, 34 Mallards (including four young), 36 Tufted Ducks, four Lapwings, one Common Sandpiper, a Buzzard, a single Kestrel, nine Black-headed Gulls, ten Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 12 Herring Gulls and five Sand Martins (15th).Two Snipe and an adult and a young Water Rail were reported at Letham Pools (16th). Loch Gelly’s west end held three Little Egrets with two more together at the east end, also present were two adult Mediterranean Gulls, eight Common Sandpipers and one Pochard (17th). An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the beach at Leven, the five Little Egrets at Loch Gelly were together on the spit at the west end and off Fife Ness were two Manx Shearwaters, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Black-tailed Godwits and six Common Terns (18th). On higher ground 16 Stonechats (including eight young), four Whinchats (including two young) and five Ravens were seen at Glen Vale. 14 Lapwings, c25 Mute Swans, a Buzzard, a Tree Sparrow and a Greenfinch were all noted at Edenside and an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Downing Point, Dalgety Bay (19th). An adult and two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls glided past Methil and an adult Roseate Tern was on the rocks east of Dalgety Bay Sailing Club (20th). Little Egret sightings continued with a single at Letham Pools, three at Loch Gelly (as well as 16 Grey Herons and two Black-tailed Godwits there) and two at the Eden Estuary where an Osprey and a Kingfisher were also noted (21st).

 

A Little Egret was also at Inverkeithing, four Crossbills passed over Ferryhills and eight of this species were seen in Coalpit Den at Craigmead (22nd). Four adult Mediterranean Gulls were present at East Wemyss, a Ruff and two Ospreys were spied from the Eden Estuary Centre, a pair of Great Crested Grebes were at Ballo Reservoir with four of this species (including two young) also at Mountcastle GP where eight Dabchicks (including two young), nine Greylags, a Buzzard and two very vocal Jays were present. 28 Greylags, 30 Coots (including four young) and c50 Lapwings were all noted at Letham Pools as well as one adult and one young Moorhen whilst three Little Egrets lingered at Loch Gelly (24th). Wilderness hosted a Ruff, 13 Black-tailed Godwits and six Common Sandpipers with Snipe numbering 12 and the same total of this species was recorded at Letham Pools (25th).Three adult Mediterranean Gulls and a juvenile were counted at East Wemyss then there was a report of a major movement of Whimbrels passing Fife Ness, one flock of at least 70 and another of 80 (26th). Eight House Martin nests were counted in Gauldry and eight Mute Swans (including four young), 24 Greylags (including juveniles) and 33 Lapwings were noted at Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR. A Green Sandpiper, three Common Sandpipers, 52 Lapwings, 19 Grey Herons and two Goldeneyes were recorded at Loch Gelly (27th). A busy end to the month started with one Sooty Shearwater, one Arctic Skua, three Bonxies, 30+ Manx Shearwaters and two Common Scoters off Fife Ness then a further report there comprising a Sooty Shearwater, 106 Manx Shearwaters, 26 Whimbrels and 130 Knot all passing south with four Arctic Skuas, two Bonxies and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull all passing north. Seawatching at Kinghorn produced one Bonxie, three Manx Shearwaters, 14 Knot and 28 Common Scoters. Wilderness held 23 Black-tailed Godwits, two Green Sandpipers, three Greenshanks, two Common Sandpipers and a single Ruff (28th).

 

 

Further observations at Fife Ness yielded 19 Manx Shearwaters, three juvenile Mediterranean Gulls, an adult Roseate Tern, six Whimbrels, a Black-throated Diver, two Arctic Skuas and a Minke Whale, all seen heading south, then later a Sooty Shearwater, eight Manx Shearwaters, two Arctic Skuas and two Whimbrels were noted there. East Wemyss had two juvenile Mediterranean Gulls at roost, with one adult just offshore. A Wood Sandpiper, one Spotted Redshank, two Green Sandpipers, a Ruff, one  Whimbrel, three Greenshanks and 12 Black-tailed Godwits were present at Wilderness. A Little Egret at Loch Gelly was joined by eight Common Sandpipers and 22 Grey Herons (29th). Glen Vale continues to be a stronghold for chats with 11 Stonechats (including seven young) and four Whinchats (including two young) present. Meanwhile Wilderness  maintained its reputation as a wader hotspot at this time of year with one Wood Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, two Common Sandpipers, one Green Sandpiper, a single Ruff, three Greenshanks, a Curlew and 20 Black-tailed Godwits as well as three Water Rails (including one young). The last two days of the month were notable for Mediterranean Gull sightings starting with a first summer west of Buckhaven then an adult flew past Methil heading south-east before East Wemyss held four adults and six juveniles (one juvenile having a white Darvic ring on the left leg) (30th) then three adults and eight juveniles were seen there the next day (31st).

 

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware

Leo’s Isle of May Solo Exhibition

by
FBC Member Leo du Feu informs us of the following:
 
I invite you all to take to the waves during August / September to see my current exhibition, in a lighthouse, on an island! A solo exhibition of sketches and paintings I’ve created outdoors on the Isle of May over the past six years. 
 
If you wish to see me too then book your boat for Saturday 25th or Sunday 26th August when I’ll be loitering in the lighthouse ready for chats. You can reach the Isle of May easily on day trips from Anstruther in Fife and North Berwick in East Lothian. Boats do sell out so you should book in advance.
 
** view it online **
I’ve put together this blog to show the exhibition online and to give more info on the island and how to get there 

Next Outdoor Meeting

by

The first outing of 2018/2019 will be to sites known to produce various wader sightings at this time of year. Likely locations will be The Wilderness and Letham Pools as well as the Eden Estuary. Water Rails and a variety of ducks are also possibilities. Meet at the Eden Centre car park at 09:00.

Intending participants should notify Ron McNab, preferably a week before the outing – ron.mcnab123@gmail.com

 

Next Indoor Meeting

by

The first Indoor Meeting of the 2018/2019 syllabus will be ‘Birding the Balearics’ on 6th September 2018.

Norman Elkins, BTO Regional Representative for Fife and Kinross, has been a regular vistor to the Balearics over the years and will talk about his many birding experiences on the islands.

 

June 2018 Sightings

by

JUNE 2018 SIGHTINGS

 

The month started with a female Marsh Harrier passing south over Strathkinness (1st). A Grasshopper Warbler was still reeling, just south of the fish factory at Fife Ness and 50 Canada Geese were on the sea off Leven (2nd). Ten Black-tailed Godwits were present at Wilderness (4th) with eight still there a few days later when there were also two Great Crested Grebes at Lindores Loch as well as four pairs of Mute Swans, three with small cygnets and another three pairs with b5, b6 and b8. A count at Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR included five Mute Swans (with two cygnets), 20 Greylag Geese (+11 goslings), ten Mallards (+ two young), one Blackcap, two Chiffchaffs, five Willow Warblers and there was the interesting sight of Oystercatchers nesting atop a Sand Martin barrel (7th).

 

Cameron Reservoir hosted 63 Mute Swans, three Tree Sparrows and a Yellowhammer whilst at Strathburn at St Michaels there were 75 Rooks in a field with sheep and newly dumped carrots (8th). An Osprey flew north over Kilmany and another Osprey flew west between Kilmany and Gauldry (14th)

 

Fife’s contribution to the Rose-coloured Starling influx was one present for its second day at Leven (15th). Morton Lochs NNR held three Herons, two Mute Swans, two pairs of Canada Geese (with b2 & b5), three Teal, 18 Mallards, four Tufted Ducks, eight Coots (with ten young), a Blackcap and two Jays. Drumoig hosted two Canada Geese (+ one small gosling), c30 Herring Gulls and c25 Lesser Black-backed Gulls then a Tawny Owl was seen half way along the Tayport to St Michaels road near Vicarsford Lodge (16th). A report from Newton Sand & Gravel Pit included four Dabchicks (with four young), two Mute Swans (+ seven young), three Canada Geese (with b2 & b4), two Teal, ten Mallards, 13 Tufted Ducks, 45 Black-headed Gulls, a Skylark and five Reed Buntings. East Links Wood Pond held three Dabchicks, five Canada Geese (with three young), eight Shelducks, six Tufted Ducks, a Spotted Flycatcher and two Reed Buntings. 74 Black-tailed Godwits were at Culross, reported as one of the biggest flocks seen there, then a busy day was rounded off by the presence of a Spoonbill in front of the Eden Estuary Centre (17th). On higher ground, seven Whinchats, four Stonechats and three Ravens were all noted at Glen Vale before four juvenile Tree Sparrows were seen on feeders in an Auchtermuchty garden (18th). 15 Black-tailed Godwits were present at Wilderness (19th).

 

A two hour House Martin survey at Gauldry revealed 36 completed nests, including six double nests (22nd). A female Yellow Wagtail was seen briefly at Guardbridge (23rd).Two Mute Swans (+ seven young), 14 Mallards (+ 20 young) and five Moorhens (with one young) were all noted at Tayport Pond (24th). A Grey Wagtail was at Burnside, Cupar and an adult non-breeding Little Gull was an unusual find at Letham Pools (26th). A report from Wormit Bay included four Herons, two Mallards, six Oystercatchers, three Curlews, ten Redshanks and 12 Black-headed Gulls (27th).

 

Eight  Whinchats and seven Stonechats were counted at Glen Vale on the last day of the month (30th).

Information provided courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott

April 2018 Sightings

by

April 2018 Sightings

The first day of the month brought signs of spring with a female Blackcap in a Kirkcaldy garden. The drake Surf Scoter lingered at Ruddons Point and the single Greenland White-fronted Goose was still present at Letham Pools along with c600 Pink-feet. A male Wheatear was north of Balcomie Beach whilst a male and female Black Redstart were seen nearby at Fife Ness (1st) and were present the next day when there was also a Chiffchaff at Fife Ness Muir. The Black-necked Grebe reported last month was showing very well off Elie harbour (2nd) and was present the following day (3rd). A Bean Goose joined the Greenland White-fronted Goose and c600 Pink-feet at Letham Pools, an Osprey and a Peregrine were noted at Newburgh whilst the former was also seen over Balmullo and over Guardbridge where there was also a Sand Martin. A Red-necked Grebe was present off Dalgety Bay Sailing Club again, a Nuthatch was seen in Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline, a Hawfinch was spotted flying over Fife Ness and the Black-necked Grebe remained at Elie (5th). Ten Sand Martins were at Letham Pools and a report from Ruddons Point included two Sandwich Terns, a Whimbrel, eight summer plumaged Slavonian Grebes, a Black-throated Diver, seven Red-throated Divers, 290 Velvet Scoters and 600+ Common Scoters (6th).The following day was a busy one starting with a male Black Redstart at Fife Ness, a Short-eared Owl over Ferry Hills and two Crossbills and two Green Woodpeckers at Pitmedden Forest. The Greenland White-fronted Goose and the Bean Goose were still accompanied by c600 Pink-feet at Letham Pools whilst Mountcastle GP held four Dabchicks, two Great Crested Grebes, six Mute Swans and a Chiffchaff then Luthrie Flood hosted two Shelducks, 20+ Teal, a pair of Shovelers and four Lapwings (7th).

A Wheatear, two White Wagtails and a Sandwich Tern were observed at Fife Ness, a Swallow graced Kilminning and a report from Out Head included 70+ Eiders, 13 Long-tailed Ducks, two pairs of Scaup, 50+ Oystercatchers, six Skylarks, four Meadow Pipits and two Reed Buntings. At Lochore Meadows CP 52 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were serenaded by at least seven singing Chiffchaffs and there was also one at Wilderness as well as 18 Whooper Swans. A Swallow was at Loch Gelly along with a pair of Gadwall and eight Goosanders whilst the Greenland White-fronted Goose loitered at Letham Pools (8th). A Wheatear, one Little Egret and a Green Woodpecker were at Tentsmuir Point NNR then Eden Estuary LNR hosted an Osprey, a Willow Warbler and two Wheatears (9th).Three Slavonian Grebes in summer plumage were admired from the Eden Estuary Centre (11th) and a report from  Angle Park GP included 24 Wigeon, 14 Tufted Ducks, three Dabchicks, two Great Crested Grebes, 21 Goldeneyes and 30+ Coots before a count at Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR comprised seven Mute Swans, 18 Greylags, one Canada Goose, 28 Tufted Ducks, 12 Goldeneyes, three Chiffchaffs and a Bullfinch (12th). A Great Northern Diver was spied off Shell Bay with a Raven and a White Wagtail at Kincraig whilst further up the coast at Kilminning a Lesser Whitethroat was present and a Whimbrel passed over. Freshwater counts included seven Dabchicks, two Canada Geese on nests, two Gadwalls and 12 Teal at Morton Lochs NNR, six Dabchicks at Linkswood and the same number of this species at Newton Sandpit where there were also three pairs of Canada Geese, five Shelducks, 36 Teal, 28 Tufted Ducks, 12 Goldeneyes, and c120 Black-headed Gulls (14th).

A Black-throated Diver, a summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe, a Whimbrel and a White Wagtail were all present at Ruddons Point and a Great Northern Diver and a White Wagtail were noted nearby at Kincraig Point (15th). Wilderness held two Black-tailed Godwits and c25 Sand Martins while a Whooper Swan at Letham Pools was accompanied by c130 Pink-feet and c25 Greylags. An adult Iceland Gull was off Dysart and flew north past West Wemyss, a Whimbrel was present at Braefoot Point and an Arctic Skua passed by Anstruther (16th). Letham Pools held a first winter Mediterranean Gull (18th), a Yellow Wagtail was in a field next to main road into Crail and the Black-necked Grebe was still showing well at Elie (and also the following day) and a Jay flew over St Fort (19th). A singing male Nuthatch was heard on the edge of North Queensferry, a Short-eared Owl, two Whimbrels, a Wheatear and two White Wagtails were seen at Ruddons Point, two Common Sandpipers were at Mountcastle GP and a record from Lindores Loch included three Wigeon, 23 Tufted Ducks, six Goldeneyes and a drake Pochard. Two Red-throated Divers flew past Elie where the Black-necked Grebe was still off the harbour (21st) and was still present the next day.

A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling away by the coastal footpath near Kilrenny Mill and a male White Wagtail, five House Martins and three Wheatears were present at Kilrenny while Letham Pools held a pair of Shovelers and c300 Pink-feet with a Whimbrel over then two of this species were reported at Loch Gelly (22nd). Further Whimbrel reports were seven at Seafield (23rd) and two at Culross (24th). Eden Estuary LNR hosted two Ospreys, one Ruff, two Common Sandpipers, 190 Black-tailed Godwits and a Whitethroat (25th). The Nuthatch was still calling from gardens at Ferry Hills where singles of Black-throated Diver, Tree Pipit and Whimbrel flew over with 12 of the latter species also seen at Balcomie along with four White Wagtails (28th).

Observations at Ferry Hills continued with a Spotted Flycatcher and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers then the Black-necked Grebe was seen along with two Whimbrels at Elie (29th). The month ended with Sedge Warblers noted at Loch Gelly and Lochore Meadows CP (30th).

Information courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott

March 2018 Sightings

by

MARCH 2018 SIGHTINGS

The month opened with an Iceland Gull over Aberdour on the first day (1st) then Lochore Meadows CP hosted nine Whooper Swans, nine Goosanders, five Pochards (all drakes), the regular redhead Smew and a Barn Owl whilst an adult Mediterranean Gull and at least ten Kittiwakes were at Seafield (5th). There was a similar report from Pathhead the following day when a second winter Mediterranean Gull and 20 Kittiwakes were seen (6th).

Tentsmuir Point NNR held one Greenshank, one Little Egret, one Green Woodpecker, one Great Northern Diver and a Crossbill while the sighting of two Magpies was noted as unusual here (8th). A count of 18 Moorhens was reported as a record for Tayport Pond (9th) then an Osprey passed over Kirkcaldy (11th). An adult White-fronted Goose was present with 550-600 Pink-footed Geese at Letham Pools (12th) and they were all noted there the next day when a Hawfinch was seen briefly at New Gilston as well as two Bramblings then several of the latter species were seen at Bow of Fife (13th). A drake Mandarin Duck was on the south shore of Loch Gelly, a Little Egret flew upstream and 24 Whooper Swans flew past heading north at the Eden Estuary Centre and the geese flock lingered at Letham Pools (14th).

This site held two Shelducks, c110 Wigeon, 18 Tufted Ducks, eight Gadwall, four Pochards, 16 Coots, 16 Oystercatchers and c25 Lapwings the next day when a Slavonian Grebe was offshore at Braefoot Point and a count at Luthrie Floods included one Pink-footed Goose, two Shelducks, c125 Wigeon, 90 Teal, one Shoveler and at least 100 Woodpigeons (15th). 16 Scaup, one Great Northern Diver, 55 Kittiwakes, one Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Greenshank were all seen on a rising tide at Edenside (16th). An adult Mediterranean Gull was present at Seafield (17th) then the following day was a busy one starting with a Slavonian Grebe and two Red-breasted Mergansers at Kilconquhar Loch, a Little Gull past Kincraig Point then a Jack Snipe at Largoward followed by a Great Northern Diver, a Mediterranean Gull and a first-winter Iceland Gull past Kinghorn before an adult Mediterranean Gull, two Great Northern Divers, 80 Kittiwakes and 50 Guillemots were counted between North Queensferry and Inverkeithing (18th). There were even more reports the next day commencing with a Little Egret at Morton Lochs NNR, a Black Redstart at Fife Ness and the redhead Smew still present at Lochore Meadows CP. Freshwater counts included four Dabchicks, two Greylag Geese, four Canada Geese, 34 Wigeon, 16 Teal, 27 Tufted Ducks, 26 Goldeneyes and 22 Lapwings at Newton Sandpit then eight Dabchicks, four Mute Swans, four Canada Geese, 30 Mallards, 12 Teal, 14 Tufted Ducks, seven Moorhens, and ten Coots at Morton Lochs NR before the day ended with a Woodcock at Auchtermuchty and a Barn Owl east of Upper Largo (19th). A pair of Merlins flew over Auchtermuchty, an Osprey flew north-west over Wemyss Wood, a Jack Snipe and 34 Snipe were present at Barnyards Marsh and the drake Surf Scoter, 745 Velvet Scoters, a Whimbrel and a Raven were all noted at Ruddons Point. An Osprey flew over Mugdrum Island where a Little Egret and 11 Goosanders were also present, the White-fronted Goose loitered at Letham Pools along with c400 Pink-feet whilst a Chiffchaff heralded spring at Loch Gelly (20th). An adult Mediterranean Gull was at West Sands and 26 Scaup were in St Andrews Bay (21st).

Scaup numbers off West Sands increased to c70 accompanied by two Great Northern Divers then the Smew at Lochore Meadows CP was joined by a singing Chiffchaff, two drake Pintails, three pairs of Gadwall and two Ravens (22nd). Two Tree Pipits were seen at Blairadam then  Fife Ness yielded one Short-eared Owl, seven Purple Sandpipers, one Red-breasted Merganser, two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a Red-throated Diver, two Scaup, a Goosander and two Common Scoters (24th). A Red-necked Grebe was seen off Dalgety Bay and 600 Pink-feet at Letham Pools were joined by one Greenland White-fronted Goose, one European White-fronted Goose and a Tundra Bean Goose (25th) with both White-fronts still there the next day and the Pink-feet increasing to 1400 whilst a Raven flew over. Bow of Fife had a flock of Bramblings, Levenmouth produced 25+ Eiders, four Red-breasted Mergansers, 16 Oystercatchers, a Ringed Plover, 20+ Redshanks and seven Lesser Black-backed Gulls and the Red-necked Grebe was a bit closer off Dalgety Bay Sailing Club (26th) and was seen again the next day (27th).

An Osprey headed over the Eden Estuary Centre carrying a fish, a Little Egret was present at Kincardine and a late afternoon inspection of Dunfermline Glen produced a Nuthatch, a Treecreeper and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers (28th). Four Chiffchaffs were at Cullaloe NR, a Sand Martin, one Jay and two Green Woodpeckers were at Bath Moor and a Glaucous Gull, in white second year plumage, was present at the west end of the beach at Earlsferry. Meanwhile the drake Surf Scoter, one Purple Sandpiper, two Red-necked Grebes, six Red- throated Divers and at least six Slavonian Grebes were recorded at Lower Largo and a visit to Cameron Reservoir produced nine Whooper Swans, c350 Pink-feet, ten Teal, 18 Mallards, 14 Tufted Ducks, c20 Goldeneyes, six Goosanders, a Buzzard, a Kestrel, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, four Tree Sparrows, two Long-tailed Tits and three Pied Wagtails (29th). A Little Gull and 30+ Kittiwakes were spied off Seafield (30th) and the month closed with a Chiffchaff seen bathing in an Anstruther garden pond.

Information courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott

Next Outing

by

The next FBC outing will be to the Hirsel on Sunday 15th April. We will meet at the car park in the Hirsel at 09:30 (a modest charge is payable for car parking). Would all intending participants please contact Ron McNab (e-mail to ron.mcnab123@gmail.com) in sufficient time to allow for travel arrangements to be made.