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The month got off to an unusual start with a report of a male Lady Amherst’s Pheasant in the grounds of one of the buildings at St Andrews University (to tick or not to tick?). More familiar fare was two adult Pomarine Skuas, five Arctic Skuas, 270 Kittiwakes, one Little Gull, 40 Barnacle Geese and one Merlin in an early morning report from Ferry Hills with a further update of five Pomarine Skuas, (three adults and two juveniles together), 400 Kittiwakes (in two flocks), 85 Barnacle Geese, 200 Pink-footed Geese and a Peregrine. Sightings at

Fife Ness included two Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a Peregrine while the Barred Warbler reported at Kilminning last month was still present (1st) and was seen again the next day when c50 Pink-footed Geese, one Sooty Shearwater, and seven Barnacle Geese were spied passing Fife Ness. A juvenile Hen Harrier was seen from Ferry Hills, two Whooper Swans were at Elie Ness and a report from Edenside included c150 Lapwings, one Curlew Sandpiper, c400 Redshanks, a Spotted Redshank and five Black-tailed Godwits (2nd). Two Dippers were at Burnside, Cupar and a Merlin was seen just north of Markinch. Regular reports from Kilminning were a feature of the month and these continued with ten Redwings, a Yellow-browed Warbler and the lingering Barred Warbler (3rd) which was still present the following day along with the Yellow-browed Warbler. Dalgety Bay held a Red-necked Grebe while five Crossbills were at Morton Lochs NNR (4th). Probably the same Red-necked Grebe was seen at Braefoot Point and the tally from Fife Ness was seven Manx Shearwaters, 32 Common Scoters, four Bonxies, three Arctic Skuas, seven Teal, one Goldeneye, 16 Red-throated Divers, four Sandwich Terns and  two Red-breasted Mergansers with a Short-eared Owl and a Fieldfare in off the sea. Balcomie’s ‘ruined cottage’ hosted a Yellow-browed Warbler, two Bramblings and a Short-eared Owl with the Walled Garden also yielding a Yellow-browed Warbler and this species was also noted at Boarhills, both in the village and at the pond where there were also nine Bramblings. The beach at Tayport had two Knot and one Little Gull then highlights from Kilminning were, two Woodcocks, a Jack Snipe, a Brambling, one Yellow-browed Warbler, one Lesser Whitethroat and the loitering Barred Warbler (5th).The last three species lingered at Kilminning the next day and there was a Yellow-browed Warbler at Balcomie. A Short-eared Owl patrolled Out Head and there was another Yellow-browed Warbler at Kingsbarns. The Red-necked Grebe was still present at Dalgety Bay and the regular vismig report from Ferry Hills included eight Ring Ouzels, 80 Redwings and one Stonechat (6th).Dalgety Bay’s Red-necked Grebe was joined by a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, a Long-tailed Duck, one Little Gull and two Sandwich Terns. Highlights from a busy day at Kilminning included three Yellow-browed Warblers, one Lesser Whitethroat, two Bramblings, two Chiffchaffs,  20+ Song Thrushes, 20+ Blackbirds, two Ring Ouzels, the Barred Warbler still and reports of 300+ then 100+ Redwings. At Bathmoor Plantation there were four Redwings overhead and a single Brambling. Seawatching at Fife Ness produced six Little Gulls, one Sandwich Tern, five Red-throated Divers, five Common Scoters as well as 15 Redwings in off the sea and a Peregrine hunting successfully over the water. Meanwhile at Fife Ness Muira probable Reed Warbler was accompanied by two Lesser Whitethroats and two Ring Ouzels. In the St Andrewsarea there were two Ring Ouzels, one Whinchat, 11 Stonechats and a Yellow-browed Warbler. Balcomie yielded a Merlin and three Bramblings while c200 Redwings and nine Swallows were noted at Ferry Hills (7th).

A Hawfinch and a Ring Ouzel passed through the same site the next day. A Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew past Kirkcaldy’s Tiel Burn, there was a Little Gull at Dalgety Bay then Fife Ness Muir held one Ring Ouzel, at least three Chiffchaffs and 80 Tree Sparrows (8th). Sightings at Edenside included four Little Egrets, 16 Goosanders, a Kingfisher, 88 Lapwings, 11 Black-tailed Godwits and eight Greenshanks. A report from Dunfermline included two Chiffchaffs, ten Redwings, two Bullfinches, 18 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 48 Black-headed Gulls. At  Pathhead there were at least three Chiffchaffs and 23 Siskins flew in. At Kilminning perhaps the find of the month was a Pallas’s Warbler which was also seen on the following two days. The increase in Red Kite reports continued with an adult heading west past Dumbarnie. The Green Sandpiper lingered near the entrance to Shell Bay. A Black-necked Grebe was noted at Kilconquhar Loch along with three Goldeneyes and sightings at Ferry Hills included one Great Northern Diver inland, with 17 Red-throated Divers and a summer plumaged adult Black-throated Diver which u-turned (9th) then a Hawfinch, three Ring Ouzels and two Bramblings were noted there the next day. At Pathhead, two Woodcocks were flushed, Kilminning produced five Yellow-browed Warblers, 30 Chiffchaffs, three Ring Ouzels and a Lesser Redpoll while 39 Redwings turned up in ‪Dunfermline and one Little Gull and an Arctic Tern graced Dalgety Bay (10th). Morton Lochs NNR, hosted 80 Teal and Buckhaven held one Whimbrel. A Red-necked Grebe was sighted again at Dalgety Bay then 84 Pink-footed Geese flew over Dunfermline. Single Ring Ouzels were present at Ferry Hills and Kilminning where there were also three Yellow-browed Warblers (11th) with the same number also seen the next day as well as at least six Chiffchaffs and a Ring Ouzel, with groups of Redpolls going over.  A Lesser Whitethroat at Balcomie, a Shore Lark at Fife Ness and the lingering Green Sandpiper at Shell Bay were further reports from a busy day which included the following species at Ferry Hills: nine Ring Ouzels, 500 Pink-footed Geese, 30 Red-throated Divers, two Black-throated Divers, six Whooper Swans, 84 Swallows, 222 Skylarks, 114 Siskins, 110 Mistle Thrushes, two Crossbills, three Bramblings and a Jay. Then two Peregrines, two Curlew Sandpipers, a Spotted Redshank, eight Black-tailed Godwits, eight Greenshanks, 50+ Knot and at least ten Swallows were seen from the Eden Estuary Centre. A Tree or Olive-backed Pipit was heard over St Andrews where there were also five Ring Ouzels five Bramblings, two House Martins and a Redwing over. At East Wemyss there were340 Black-headed Gulls, Pathhead had two Chiffchaffs, a Woodcock and a Ring Ouzel over (12th) then a further report from this site the next day included three Chiffchaffs, 17 Swallows and a Short-eared Owl with singles of the latter species also noted at Balcomie and Randerston. At Balcomie a Twite flew over and at Fife Ness there were two Red-throated Divers, a Kingfisher, one Great Northern Diver, two Velvet Scoters and a juvenile Puffin. At Burntisland a Red Kite drifted west over the Binn where there was also a Yellow-browed Warbler but only one of the latter species was seen at Kilminning. Pitmedden Forest hosted c35 Crossbills, New Gilston held three Bramblings then three Barnacle Geese flew over Kirkcaldy. A Jack Snipe was at Camilla Loch where two Ravens and seven Swallows flew over. Inland sightings of Long-tailed Ducks are not that common so two females at Carnbee Reservoir was a good find. A Whimbrel was at Ruddons Point wherec80 Swallows and a House Martin flew over. At East Wemyss there werenine Velvet Scoters and two Red-throated Divers offshore. A report from Tayport comprised seven Whooper Swans, 80 Lapwings, 600 Pink-footed Geese and two Red-throated Divers before 1250 Eiders were counted off Tentsmuir Point NNR. Further highlights from Ferry Hills included two Yellow-browed Warblers, one Ring Ouzel, one Merlin, one Great Northern Diver and two Little Gulls (13th) then one Yellow-browed Warbler, one Ring Ouzel still and a Merlin the next day. A Yellow-browed Warbler wasalso at Kilminning, a  Woodcock was seen in an Anstruther garden and a Short-eared Owl was noted at Elie Ness. A Marsh Harrier and 12 Bearded Tits were seen at Mugdrum Island, Lesser Whitethroats were found at Boarhills Pond (a single) and Fife Ness Muir (two) where 28 Barnacles Geese flew over with two of this species also seen accompanying 140 Pink-footed Geese over Guardbridgewhere a Firecrest was a welcome addition to the species list for the month. The Red-necked Grebe remained at Dalgety Bay and sightings at Out Head included 100+ Pink-footed Geese, two Red-throated Divers, 23 Knot, 19 Red-breasted Mergansers, two Stonechats, and 30+ Skylarks. Bankhead Moss doesn’t often feature in reports but noted there were one Common Redpoll, 14 Lesser Redpolls, two Crossbills, at least five Ravens, a Water Rail, two Stonechats, 48 Redwings, 17 Blackbirds, a Peregrine, a Kestrel and c85 Skylarks. A Whimbrel and ten Corn Buntings were reported in the Sauchope area of Crail (14th).

13 Velvet Scoters were seen off East Wemyss. Kilminning highlights included two Bramblings, 60 Redwings, one Fieldfare, a Snipe, a Stonechat and two Merlins, with two of this raptor also reported at the Bishop Hill (presumably still within Fife). A Jay and four Bramblings were at Boarhills, a Woodcock was found in Denburn Wood and observations from the Fife Ness hide included one Black-throated Diver, 12 Red-throated Divers, 23 Wigeon, five Long-tailed Ducks, 33 Common Scoters, two Brent Geese and a Sandwich Tern. Tentsmuir Point NNR hosted c5000 Eiders, 160 Ringed Plovers and a Peregrine then at nearby Kinshaldy 19 Slavonian Grebes, c350 Common Scoters, 45 Red-breasted Mergansers, eight Long-tailed Ducks, 14 Velvet Scoters and eight Red-throated Divers were recorded before Loch Gelly contributed five Whooper Swans, a Scaup and eight Goldeneyes (15th). Two White-tailed Eagles were noted at Edenside in addition to c150 Lapwings and a Kingfisher. 800+ Pink-footed Geese, three Barnacle Geese and two Ravens were seen at Blairhall. A Hawfinch overFerry Hills (16th) was followed by a first winter Spoonbill and two Taiga Bean Geese over the same site the next day. A Black Guillemot and a Great Northern Diver were on the sea just north of the beach at Kingsbarns while nine Little Gulls flew eastpast Kilminning then a Black-necked Grebe was seen again at Elie Harbour. On a different part of the coast one Slavonian Grebe, one Great Crested Grebe and three Pintails were spied off the sailing club at Dalgety Bay. The Green Sandpiper remained at  Shell Bay, with a Merlin nearby and Kirkcaldy’s Beveridge Park hosted a Ring-necked Parakeet (17th). Another Hawfinch flew over Ferry Hills as did 450 Redwings, Dalgety Bay had one Slavonian Grebe and near Anstruther were 19 Corn Buntings. Sightings from Fife Ness included34 Little Gulls, four Red-throated Divers, two Common Scoters, six Purple Sandpipers and a Kingfisher on the rocks (18th). Seawatching at Kinghorn yielded a juvenile Sabine’s Gull early on then groups of two, then three juvenile Long-tailed Skuas as well as one Pomarine Skua, three Red-throated Divers, one Little Gull and c400 Kittiwakes. Nearby, at Pettycur the tally was seven Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver, 15 Little Gulls, four Arctic Skuas, 12 Wigeon and 16 Long-tailed Ducks. Five Common Cranes flew high over Dalgety Bay where there were also 1000 Kittiwakes, one Sandwich Tern, five Red-throated Divers, 80 Gannets, 200 Guillemots and three Goldeneyes. Ferry Hills weighed in with950 Kittiwakes, four Little Gulls, two Arctic Skuas inland, four Bonxies and eight Twite over while Crail had one Sooty Shearwater and two Bonxies. Fife Ness totals wereone Sooty Shearwater, 116 Little Gulls, three Bonxies, one Arctic Skua, one Great Northern Diver, a Black-throated Diver, 23 Red-throated Divers, 85 Common Scoters, 62 Wigeon, 16 Long-tailed Ducks, 16 Purple Sandpipers, one Common Tern, three Scaup, one Puffin and 16 Whooper Swans. A report from Out Head comprised four Slavonian Grebes, five Great Crested Grebes, 15 Pintails, four Long-tailed Ducks, 165 Scaup, a Red-throated Diver and seven Little Egrets.

Five Snow Buntings passed Anstruther and a juvenile Marsh Harrier was at Newburgh. To round off a busy day, a further report from Kinghorn included68 Pink-footed Geese, 15 Wigeon, 198 Eiders, eight Red-throated Divers, three Bonxies and 178 Guillemots (19th). Further sightings from this site the next day were seven Little Gulls, 15 Red-throated Divers, two Black-throated Divers, 12 Long-tailed Ducks, four Velvet Scoters and eight Common Scoters. An obviously larger and paler male Bullfinch (presumed Northern) was found at Dunfermline (are there more of the Northern variety around or are we just more aware of them as a possibility?). The Fife Ness day count was two Little Auks, 302 Little Gulls, three Black-throated Divers, 36 Red-throated Divers, one Great Crested Grebe, 230 Eiders, 33 Common Scoters, 11 Long-tailed Ducks, 46 Wigeon, two Velvet Scoters, two Dark-bellied Brent Geese, ten Goosanders, two Common Terns, one Arctic Tern, one Kingfisher, 1730 Guillemots, 540 Razorbills and four Puffins (20th). Observations there continued the following day resulting in counts of three Great Northern Divers, two Black-throated Divers, 12 Red-throated Divers, 24 Common Scoters and eight Purple Sandpipers. At Out Head there were two White-tailed Eagles, 33 Scaup and 13 Slavonian Grebes whilst sightings at Kinshaldy included16 Red-throated Divers, five Long-tailed Ducks and six Slavonian Grebes (21st).

Single Hen Harriers turned up at Pittenweem and the Cleish Hills and a Yellow-browed Warbler visited Inverkeithing (22nd). A House Martin was still hanging around at St. Andrews, a Short-eared Owl patrolled Out Head and five Twite flew over Kenly Water (23rd). 23 Fieldfares flew south at Dunfermline, a juvenile Whinchat appeared at Out Head and a male Black Redstart was found at Balcomie. 20 Grey Partridges at  Lochhead Farm was a welcome report (24th).

Angle Park held at least ten Gadwalls and 60+ Coots while Letham Pools hosted 21 Whooper Swans, eight Shovelers and c26 Gadwalls. Sightings from Ferry Hills included one Ruff and two Whooper Swans (25th) then four Northern Bullfinches the next day, part of an influx of 20+ Bullfinches in the general area. At least eight Bullfinches were also at Kilminning as well as 20+ Siskins and three Chiffchaffs. On the Dysart to West Wemyss stretch of coast there were 31 Ringed Plovers with 47 Fieldfares over. A Lapland Bunting at Boarhills Pond was a good find, with one Jack Snipe just north of the pond. 124 Whooper Swans frequented Wilderness (26th). Eight Northern type Bullfinches were in the gully at Ferry Hills where overhead were six Dark-bellied Brent Geese. A interesting Dipper (more of which later) was reported at Kinness Burn, two Scaup, a Jack Snipe and six Snipe were at Carnbee Reservoir and 40+ Crossbills, two Peregrines and up to four Bramblings were noted at Balgownie Woods. Another Lapland Bunting was discovered, this time at Guardbridge where there was also a Greenshank (27th). Single Waxwings were reported in different parts of Kirkcaldy, c75 Scaup were at Edenside with c100 of this species also at Out Head, where there were two Twite, then two Pale-bellied Brent Geese flew over Kinghorn Loch. Back at Kinness Burn, the Dipper was trapped and ringed (orange over blue on the left leg with yellow over metal on the right leg) and although noted as a juvenile female and dark bellied the exact ID was left as ‘inconclusive’. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was seen again at Newburgh (28th).

Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese were on the shore at Buckhaven, two Snow Buntings graced Out Head where there were also three Stonechats and a Whinchat. 20 Twite were at Ruddons Point with a single nearby at Cocklemill Burn where there were also 95 Fieldfares (29th). A Pink-footed Geese flock at Rathillet was estimated at c350 and a mobile flock of ten Snow Buntings was at Out Head (30th). A hectic month ended with 14 Velvet Scoters and a Swallow at Buckhaven and one Snow Bunting, two White-tailed Eagles, 11 Long-tailed Ducks, three Stonechats and 100+ Scaup at Out Head (31st).

(FBC Members were provided with a separate summary of Mediterranean Gull sightings)

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott

A busy month began with a Pied Flycatcher and two Spotted Flycatchers at Kilmany and a juvenile Black Tern and an adult Mediterranean Gull off Dysart Harbour which also held a Wheatear as well as a White Wagtail and at least ten Mediterranean Gulls on the beach nearby. The first of regular reports from Wilderness included a Curlew Sandpiper, two Ruff, four Black-tailed Godwits and 18 Snipe. Pathhead hosted 12 Goosanders, a Kingfisher and one Wheatear whilst four of the last named species were seen up at West Lomond, along with three Ravens, then 18 Wheatears turned up at Balcomie Beach where there were also three Bar-tailed Godwits and 25 Knot. At Carlingnose Pointthere were two Bonxies, one Whimbrel and a possible Roseate Tern. Nine Little Egrets and a Spoonbill were seen from the Eden Estuary Centre and seawatching off Crail produced 217 Sandwich Terns, two Bonxies, two Red-throated Divers and two Manx Shearwaters. A Black Tern was off Kinghorn and at least two Whinchats and five Wheatears were at Out Head (1st). A busy day for Mediterranean Gull sightingsincluded adult singles at Pathhead and at Dysart, four first winter, one second calendar year and two adults at Buckhaven then four adults and three first winter birds at East Wemyss. A male Marsh Harrier and ten late Swifts were at Kilconquhar Loch, a Wheatear was at Barns Farm and a Green Sandpiper and two summer plumage Black-tailed Godwits were noted at Cuallaloe LNR (2nd). Levenmouth hosted 51 Goosanders, c120 Kittiwakes and a Little Egret then 37 Pink-footed Geese were flying south at St Andrews where an Osprey and two White-tailed Eagles were recorded at Out Head. A Mediterranean Gull count at Buckhaven comprised five adult, three first winter and four second winter birds. Noted from the Eden Estuary Centre were five Ospreys, one Little Egret, one male Peregrine, three Greenshanks, a Knot, one Kingfisher and 31 Pink-footed Geese (3rd). Nearby at Balgove Bay there were five Ospreys (presumably the same birds), three Pintails, a Little Gull, one White Wagtail, eight Wheatears, six Ruff, eight Black-tailed Godwits, ten Bar-tailed Godwits, one Greenshank, one Knot, three Ringed Plovers, a Peregrine and c50 Pink-footed Geese over. Meanwhile five Whimbrels, three Greenshanks, three Ospreys, two Goosanders, five Little Egrets and a Kestrel were noted from the Edenside hide. An untagged juvenile Marsh Harrier was at Lindores while seawatching at Fife Ness produced two Bonxies, a Red-throated Diver, five Common Terns, nine Common Scoters and 66 Kittiwakes with a Wheatear on the rocks (4th). Nine Little Egrets and four Ospreys were seen from the Eden Estuary Centre, a Nuthatch was at Saline and two Swifts flew over Anstruther. A juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was on Balcomie Beach and six Wheatears and c400 Knot were seen at West Sands. Five Ruff, a Greenshank, one Little Gull, four Ospreys, two Little Egrets and two Wheatears were at Balgove Bay and the Mediterranean Gull tally at East Wemyss was five, comprising two adult, one second winter and two first winter birds. A Kingfisher was on the Kinness Burn near Abbey Park (5th). A Little Stint was at Levenmouth where there were also 52 Goosanders and a first winter Mediterranean Gull with ten of the latter species also at Buckhaven (three adults, three second winter and four first winter). A Yellow Wagtail was in a field near Crail and the juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was still present at Balcomie Beach (6th). A Ring-necked Parakeet turned at Kirkcaldy’s Beveridge Park and a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was noted at Kingsbarns where there were also two Red-throated Divers, a Purple Sandpiper, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Merlin. Along at Kinkell Braes there were c220 Little Gulls on the sea (6th). Visible migration highlights at Ferry Hills included a juvenile Whinchat, a Jay, three Bonxies, nine Red-throated Divers and 17 Tree Pipits (see below). A male Marsh Harrier was at Lindores Loch, a Ruff was at Sauchope and the juvenile Curlew Sandpiper lingered at Balcomie Beach where there were also four Bar-tailed Godwits. Barns Farm hosted a Whinchat, a Blackcap and two Whitethroats whilst Braefoot Point produced six Chiffchaffs, a Garden Warbler and a Wheatear. A pale phase adult Pomarine Skua was spied off Fife Ness as well as two Arctic Skuas and six Bonxies. Three Whooper Swans appeared at Loch Gelly and an afternoon count at Pettycur Sands included 97 Bar-tailed Godwits, two Knot, c300 Sandwich Terns, 110 Common Terns and eight Arctic Terns. The early evening Mediterranean Gull count at East Wemyss was four second winter, seven juvenile/first winter and two adult birds (7th).

A Black-throated Diver flew past Fife Ness and two White Wagtails arrived on Balcomie Beach then Balgove Bay held ten Common Terns, at least three Ospreys, a Ruff and three Pintails. Checking of the East Wemyss to Buckhaven Coastal Path resulted in a count of 19 Mediterranean Gulls (three adults, nine first winter and seven second winter) in addition to four Wheatears and an Osprey over whilst the gull roost at Dysart included four Mediterranean Gulls (one adult, one second winter and two first winter). A Curlew Sandpiper and three Ospreys were seen from the Eden Estuary Centre and an Osprey was also seen at Out Head as well as at least six Wheatears and a Whinchat. A Spotted Flycatcher was at Kingsbarns and the day count at Fife Ness was 34 Manx Shearwaters, one Sooty Shearwater, seven Red-throated Divers, seven Arctic Skuas and 118 Common Scoters all north (8th). The Fife Ness tally the following day was 33 Manx Shearwaters, 85 Common Scoters, two Black-throated Divers, six Bonxies and 13 Arctic Skuas. A Velvet Scoter, a Little Gull and a Garden Warbler were noted at Boarhills while a report from the Eden Estuary Centre included one White-tailed Eagle, one Peregrine, a Kingfisher, one Curlew Sandpiper, a Greenshank, three Goldeneyes and a Pintail. At Fife Ness one Arctic Skua, two Whimbrels and two Red-throated Divers were noted. A Red Kite was seen circling over Kilminning then over Wormiston before drifting north. At Loch Gelly a Scaup in eclipse plumage was noted. Three Arctic Skuas and two Little Gulls were reported at Inchcolm while two Ruff, 15 Black-tailed Godwits, 19 Snipe, two Tree Pipits and two Ringed Plovers were seen at Wilderness. A Red-necked Grebe was off the Aquarium at St Andrews and a juvenile Black Tern, three Arctic Skuas and two Bonxies were noted off Kinghorn (10th). At Seafield an adult Pomarine Skua passed west, as well as four or five Arctic Skuas, and a first winter Mediterranean Gull was at the car park. At Wilderness a Whimbrel, seven Black-tailed Godwits, two Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin and a juvenile Peregrine were seen then Edenside hosted ten Little Egrets, 17 Greenshanks, 14 Pintails, one Curlew Sandpiper, a Ruff, 13 Black-tailed Godwits and six Ospreys. At East Wemyss there were c40 Sandwich Terns and six Turnstones present in addition to a total of 20 Mediterranean Gulls comprising four adults (including white 3ERA), eight first winter birds and eight second winter birds. A first winter of this species was also seen off the golf clubhouse at Anstruther (11th) where a Swift was reported the next day. Two White-tailed Eagles were present at the Eden Estuary LNR whilst two Little Gulls, 12 Black-tailed Godwits, eight Ruff, 20 Dunlins, 30 Knot, six  Pintails, 20 Wigeon and a Wheatear were counted at Balgove Bay. A Wheatear was at Dalgety Bay and a Whinchat and two Siskins turned up at ‪‪Kilminning (12th). A White-tailed Eagle was seen low over Balmullo, two Ravens were at Auchtermuchty and a Great White Egret was a good find at Morton Lochs NNR where there were also three Crossbills. A Lapland Bunting was in a field south-west of Anstruther where a first winter Mediterranean Gull was seen off the harbour. Noted from the Eden Estuary Centre were ten Little Egrets, one Osprey, one juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, one first winter Mediterranean Gull, a Knot, three Greenshanks, a Kingfisher and six Pintails. Two Little Gulls were in St Andrews Bay, a first winter Mediterranean Gull was seen roosting on rocks at  Elie while at the top of Wormit Hill two Spotted Flycatchers and two Blackcaps were seen (13th). One Osprey, two Kingfishers, five Greenshanks, one Curlew Sandpiper, a Peregrine and eight Little Egrets were noted from the Eden Estuary Centre and Anstruther again yielded a late Swift. A juvenile Yellow Wagtail was present at Crail’s Sauchope Caravan Park and an adult Mediterranean Gull was in front of Elie’s Ship Inn (presumably waiting for opening time). A Green Sandpiper was on the flooded field opposite the entrance to Shell Bay Caravan Park and was seen there regularly up to and including the last day of the month. Two White-tailed Eagles were at Out Head as well as two Skylarks, a Meadow Pipit, one Stonechat, two Ringed Plovers, two Dunlins, c20 adult Sandwich Terns and one juvenile Sandwich Tern. Newton Farm & Quarry Ponds hosted ten Dabchicks and two Grey Partridges (14th).

40 Pink-footed Geese passed over south at Auchtermuchty with 140 over Anstruther heading in the same direction then 160  passed over Shell Bay. A female type Marsh Harrier was north of Kilrenny and Morton Lochs NNR held eight Dabchicks, 70+ Mallards, 55 Teal and one Little Egret with a single of this species also at Tayport. Along the East Wemyss to Buckhaven stretch of the Coastal Path four adult, three first winter and two second winter Mediterranean Gulls were noted. Tentsmuir Point NNR held 300 ‘mixed’ terns, 16 Bar-tailed Godwits, eight Knot and a Brent Goose with a steady passage of Pink-footed Geese noted. At Wilderness a Whimbrel, 20 Black-tailed Godwits, one Ringed Plover, one Greenshank, one Ruff and a juvenile Marsh Harrier (yellow tag right wing) were seen (15th) and observations there the next day included one Tree Pipit, a Ruff, seven Black-tailed Godwits and five Snipe. At least six Crossbills were near the car park at Morton Lochs NNR then one Osprey, seven Greenshanks, one Curlew Sandpiper and a Peregrine were seen from the Eden Estuary Centre. Seawatching at Kinghorn produced two Bonxies, two Arctic Skuas, two Manx Shearwaters and a Red-throated Diver (16th) and a juvenile /first winter Tystie was showing well there the following day when 32 Manx Shearwaters, 940 Little Gulls, 14 Arctic Skuas, three Bonxies, a Black-throated Diver, 19 Red-throated Divers, five Slavonian Grebes, six Scaup and two Long-tailed Ducks were counted at Out Head. An adult Mediterranean Gull was in the usual place at Buckhaven (17th). A Little Stint was feeding with Dunlins and Sanderlings on Balcomie Beach and five Stonechats, three Whinchats and a Wheatear were noted at Out Head. A report from Edenside included c30 Pink-footed Geese, two Ospreys, 29 Lapwings and  a Greenshank (18th). A Spoonbill was at Eden Estuary LNR the next day as well as an Osprey and one Kingfisher then c12 Grey Partridges were at Gauldry.16 Black-tailed Godwits, a Ruff, 35 Wigeon, c50 Pink-footed Geese and four Whooper Swans were present at Wilderness and two adult and one first winter Mediterranean Gulls were joined by a Purple Sandpiper at East Wemyss. Two Ravens were seen flying over Strathkinness and a Quail was calling and ‘singing’ at Kilmany. Meanwhile at Ferry Hills, 21 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver and three Bonxies all flew inland. The Little Stint was still present at Balcomie Beach and the Spoonbill lingered at the Eden Estuary Centre where there were three Greenshanks and a Spotted Redshank as well as a Marsh Harrier (19th) with this species also noted there the following day. Edenside held four Goosanders, 117 Lapwings, an Osprey and a Kingfisher (20th). At Ferry Hills four Bonxies and 34 Red-throated Divers were seen as well as three Arctic Skuas with nine of this species noted flying inland later on. A Kinghorn seawatch yielded up to two juvenile Pomarine Skuas, 14 Arctic Skuas and 12 Red-throated Divers then along at the Binn in Burntisland a Dotterel flew over south. A busy day continued with a Merlin and a Chiffchaff at Kilminning, the Little Stint at Balcomie Beach, a Spotted Redshank, a Greenshank, two Peregrines and five Little Egrets at Edenside before Mediterranean Gull reports included nine at East Wemyss with one of the adult birds of Norwegian origin (21st).

The following day was even busier starting with a Kingfisher and 12 Bar-tailed Godwits at Culross and one Sooty Shearwater, a first winter Mediterranean Gull, 191 Sandwich Terns, a Black Tern and eight Arctic Skuas off Kinghorn.

Eden Estuary reports included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, a Spotted Redshank, two Kingfishers, a Red-throated Diver, three Little Egrets,

two Greenshanks and one Bar-tailed Godwit while Valleyfield Lagoons held three White Wagtails, 16 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Whimbrel. At Ferry Hills 15 Arctic Skuas, six Bonxies and 104 Red-throated Divers were noted. Highlights from Fife Ness included a Green Sandpiper over, an adult Pomarine Skua, five Arctic Skuas, a Bonxie, five Manx Shearwaters and two Black-throated Divers offshore and a juvenile Red-breasted Flycatcher and a Pied Flycatcher at Craighead. East Wemyss to Buckhaven held three adult, three second winter and two first winter Mediterranean Gulls as well as two first winter Little Gulls. Crail Airfield had one Yellow-browed Warbler and a juvenile female Merlin while Kilminning had one Tree Pipit, three Whinchats, a Redstart and a second Yellow-browed Warbler (22nd) with singles of this species also recorded the next day at Wormiston, at Crail Airfield and at Balcomie where there were also two Pied Flycatchers. A Little Bunting at Kilminning was identified from photographs but unfortunately not seen again and the Red-breasted Flycatcher was still at Craighead (23rd). Two Wheatears were on the beach at Pathhead where a site record count occurred when two adult, two first winter and one second winter Mediterranean Gulls were on the grassy area. Five of this species were in the now customary East Wemyss haunt: two second summer and three first winter. At Ferry Hills two Pomarine Skuas u-turned and two Bonxies flew inland. Regular reports from Kilminning throughout the day included at least two Yellow-browed Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Spotted Flycatcher while a Yellow-browed Warbler at Craighead was accompanied by the lingering Red-breasted Flycatcher. A Merlin headed inland at Balcomie Beach where the Little Stint was still present (24th) and remained the following day as did the Red-Breasted Flycatcher at Craighead which was around for another two days after that. Pathhead hosted an adult and first winter Mediterranean Gull and a Whinchat and an unusual record was a juvenile Honey-buzzard flying east over Dunfermline. 190 Barnacle Geese passed over west at Fife Ness and there were other groups heading south over West Sands where c40 Little Gulls, a juvenile Arctic Skua, a juvenile Arctic Tern and c50 Sandwich Terns were seen. Out Head held eight adult and four juvenile Stonechats, 248 Barnacle Geese,  27 Meadow Pipits, 245 Knot and 54 Little Gulls (25th). Mediterranean Gulls were noted at Buckhaven (three first winter) and Leven Beach (one first winter). A Little Ringed Plover was at Shell Bay and a Spotted Flycatcher and three Yellow-browed Warblers were seen at Kilminning with two of the latter species also present at Fife Ness Muir. A Little Egret, c200 Knot, c150 Lapwings, c150 Dunlins, c350 Redshanks, two Greenshanks and a Kingfisher were all noted at Edenside while from the Eden Estuary Centre 12 Little Egrets, a Peregrine, five Greenshanks and c50 Swallows were seen. Ten Bonxies, three Arctic Skuas and 25 Red-throated Divers were counted at Ferry Hills (26th) and a further report from there the following day comprised one Hawfinch, two Barnacle Geese, three Jays and a Swift.  A Yellow-browed Warbler was still present at ‘The Patch’ as well as three Chiffchaffs, a Lesser Whitethroat and two Blackcaps. Barnacle Geese reports included c50 over Fife Ness Muir, 250 west over Anstruther and 400 over Fife Ness where seven Little Gulls were seen passing south. A Yellow-browed Warbler was present at Kilminning, a Merlin was seen at Elie Ness and

seven Goosanders and c40 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were noted atLeven (27th). A Hawfinch was feeding in the gully at Ferry Hills and eight Black-tailed Godwits, a Whimbrel and two Whooper Swans were all seen at Wilderness where two skeins of c80 Pink-footed Geese were overhead. The Fife Ness day tally was one Arctic Skua, four Common Scoters, four Red-throated Divers, ten Sandwich Terns and two Purple Sandpipers. Regular updates from Kilminning involved one Spotted Flycatcher, two Chiffchaffs, a Yellow-browed Warbler,a juvenile Barred Warbler and two Whinchats. A Little Gull was seen at St David’s Harbour/Inverkeithing and two White-tailed Eagles, one Osprey, c300 Lapwings and a Greenshank were noted at Edenside (28th).

Three Arctic Skuas (two dark and one light phase) circled over Culross then 45 of this species were counted at Ferry Hills as well as three juvenile Long-tailed Skuas, two Bonxies, a Pomarine Skua, nine Barnacle Geese and a Black-throated Diver. Examination of the sea off St David’s Harbour produced five Bonxies, an Arctic Skua (juvenile), 13 Barnacle Geese, 125 Pink-footed Geese, three Pintails, five Common Scoters, three Red-throated Divers, two Common Terns and c140 Kittiwakes. Kinghorn had two Bonxies east and two Black-throated Divers west, a Whimbrel was near Seafield Tower whilst at Pathhead a Black-throated Diver, two Long-tailed Ducks and two Little Egrets were seen flying west and there was also one first winter Mediterranean Gull. Three Little Gulls were at Anstruther, at Fife Ness a Sooty Shearwater, a Manx Shearwater, two Bonxies and four juvenile Little Gulls were all seen passing north and at Kilminning there were at least two Yellow-browed Warblers and the Barred Warbler was still present (29th) and remained there the next day as well as one Yellow-browed Warbler, two Willow Warblers and 16 Golden Plovers. 12 Mediterranean Gulls (five adults, four second summer and three first winter) were noted at Dysart Beach, a Sooty Shearwater and one  Arctic Skua passedAnstruther and the month ended with a Marsh Harrier seen briefly at Kilconquhar Loch (30th).

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Grham Sparshott

An unusual opening report was of a Honey-buzzard which circled over Aberdour beach and headed west. Two Green Sandpipers and one Wood Sandpiper were noted at Angle Park GP while Wilderness hosted one Ruff, a Dunlin, one Black-tailed Godwit, five Snipe and the lingering Whooper Swan which was seen regularly over the period and was still there on the last day of the month. The opening Fife Ness day count was ten Bonxies, four Black Terns and 120 Sandwich Terns. A Green Sandpiper was still present at Valleyfield Lagoons. At East Wemyss there were six Mediterranean Gulls: one second summer, four first summer and a juvenile (white Darvic 3PX4) (1st), increasing to 21 the next day: two adults, one second summer and 18 first summer (when there was also a Whimbrel) (2nd) but down to 17 the day after: six adults, two second summer, eight first summer and one juvenile; with the Whimbrel noted again as well as a yellow Darvic ringed adult Sandwich Tern. There was also a juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Crail’s Roome Bay. Wilderness held one Green Sandpiper, a Ruff, two Dunlins and two Snipe. Balgove Bay had two Little Gulls, then c70 House Martins were assembled on wires at Newton Farm. Seven Dabchicks were at Linkswood with the same number at Morton Lochs NNR, where there were also c44 Mallards, and Newton Sandpit hosted nine Dabchicks. A Green Sandpiper flew east past Dalgety Bay (3rd). In the Valleyfield and Torry Bay Areathere were nine Arctic Terns (amongst Common and Sandwich Terns), seven Goosanders, four Snipe, four Common Sandpipers, three Greenshanks and 49 Dunlins. At Balcomie Beach there were38 Little Gulls feeding offshore and 130 Tree Sparrows were counted at Wormiston Farm. An adult Cuckoo was at Thirdpart (between Kilrenny and Crail) and at least four juvenile Yellow Wagtails were at Caiplie (4th) and were still present the next day. A Sooty Shearwater passed north at Fife Ness and a juvenile Water Rail was seen at Lochore Meadows CP (5th). Sightings at Cullaloe NR included one Kingfisher, a Common Sandpiper, two Water Rails and a Sparrowhawk. Five Yellow Wagtails, including an adult and a new juvenile, were noted at Caiplie. Two Swifts flew north over Dalgety Bay while at Buckhaven  there were three second summer, two juvenile, one first summer and two adult Mediterranean Gulls (6th) then a juvenile and a second summer were seen on the playing fields at Dunnikier Park the next day. At Caiplie at least three juvenile Yellow Wagtails were joined by a Whinchat, a Wheatear and a Grey Wagtail then a Ruff turned up on Balcomie Beach (7th).

Three Little Egrets, an Osprey and three Common Sandpipers were noted at the Eden Estuary then a further report was of one Greenshank, a Knot, a Ruff, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Egret  and three Ospreys seen from the Eden Estuary Centre. Two Common Sandpipers and 16 Goosanders were noted at Braefoot Point, three Whooper Swans were at Loch Gelly and four Knot and a Whimbrel were present at Balcomie Beach. Five juvenile and a first winter Yellow Wagtails were noted at Caiplie along with at least two Tree Pipits amongst many Meadow Pipits. A first year Mediterranean Gull was seen at Dalgety Bay, an adult, four second summers and a juvenile were at Buckhaven and four juveniles were at East Wemyss and an adult was on the Argos store roof in Leven (8th) then the following day there were four juveniles and two adults at Buckhaven with the first year bird still present at Dalgety Bay where a juvenile Black Tern was off the sailing club. At Fife Ness, two adult Roseate Terns, one Sooty Shearwater, three Arctic Skuas, two Bonxies and 23 Manx Shearwaters were counted whilst along the coast at Cambo there was a large tern movement, including six Black Terns south-east, and 25 Knot were also seen. At Dunshalt c200 House Sparrows were at Nether Myre Farm then Wilderness hosted a juvenile Greenshank, one summer-plumaged Black-tailed Godwit and six juvenile Knot (9th) with 120+ Lapwings, six Snipe, one Green Sandpiper, ten Black-tailed Godwits and a female Shoveler noted there the following day. A Green Sandpiper was on the Dreel Burn at Pittenweem, six Knot frequented Balcomie Beach and seawatching at Kinghorn yielded a Black Tern, an Arctic Tern, an Arctic Skua and three Bonxies all west, with 32 Goosanders also offshore then ten of the latter species were also seen at Fife Ness where a juvenile Marsh Harrier (with wing tags) was noted. A visible migration count at Ferry Hills included two Bonxies, one Arctic Skua, three Arctic Terns, four Red-throated Divers, nine Black-tailed Godwits and 15 Tree Pipits. An unusual report was of a possible Lesser Yellowlegs seen from the Eden Estuary Centre (10th). A juvenile Marsh Harrier (left yellow wing tag) and a Whinchat were seen at Wormiston and a Common Sandpiper, a juvenile Wheatear and four Knot were noted at Balcomie Beach. An Arctic Skua passed Fife Ness and two Green Sandpipers were on the Dreel Burn by the recycling centre at Pittenweem. Five Knot were at Seafield (11th). At Red Myre a Red Kite was seen flying quite high towards Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR and two Ruff were seen at Crail (12th) then two juveniles of this species were noted at Wilderness the next day when a Merlin and 225 Tree Pipits passed through at Ferry Hills (13th). A Green Sandpiper was present at Ribbonfield, Crail and the Mediterranean Gull tally at Buckhaven was 12 (six juveniles, three second summer and three adults). Four Ospreys, six Little Egrets, two Peregrines and a Kingfisher were seen at the Eden Estuary whilst Wilderness hosted two Wood Sandpipers, three Ruff, and seven Black-tailed Godwits. A Greenshank was at Crail and two Bonxies passed south at Fife Ness (14th).

A Quail was heard singing at Kingsbarns and a juvenile Ruff was present at Wilderness (15th). The Buckhaven Mediterranean Gull count was 13: five adults, seven second summer and a juvenile (16th). At Broombrae Farm, Auchtermuchty there were 40 Goldfinches, 50 Linnets and 11 Yellowhammers. The regular Ferry Hills report was 138 Tree Pipits, three Arctic Skuas and a Bonxie. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were present at Dysart and sightings from Fife Ness included three Bonxies, one Sooty Shearwater, a Manx Shearwater, one Common Tern, 40 Knot and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Wilderness held one Common Sandpiper, one Snipe, ten or more Black-tailed Godwits, three Ruff and four Wigeon while two Whimbrels flew over (17th). A Kingfisher was at Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR, a Little Ringed Plover and three  Scaup were noted at Angle Park GP and five Ruff, two Black-tailed Godwits, one Greenshank and a Common Sandpiper were present at Wilderness four Ospreys, three Little Egrets, three Greenshanks, two Common Sandpipers and a Peregrine were seen from the Eden Estuary Centre. An Arctic Tern was present at Letham Pools (18th). A report from Edenside included six Little Egrets, eight Goosanders, c30 Dunlins, one Ruff, 300+ Redshanks, a Greenshank, two Common Sandpipers and three Ospreys. Buckhaven hosted six Mediterranean Gulls: three adults, two second summer and a juvenile, Wilderness held five Ruff and four Black-tailed Godwits, Braefoot Point yielded one Common Sandpiper and along at Ferry Hills 134 Tree Pipits and a summer plumage Great Northern Diver were noted (20th) then sightings there the next day included two Whimbrels, three Bonxies, eight Arctic Terns, 146 Tree Pipits, a single Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Wheatear. The regular Wilderness reports continued with five Ruff, two Greenshanks, two Black-tailed Godwits, seven Snipe and one Canada Goose. 67 Sandwich Terns were present at East Wemyss where the Mediterranean Gull count was two adults, two second winter and a juvenile (white Darvic 3PX4) (21st).

Mediterranean Gulls continued to loiter at Buckhaven; this time three adults, one second summer and a juvenile were around. A Green Sandpiper was on Kilconquhar field pond and a Spotted Flycatcher was at the south end of Dalgety Bay’s Ross Plantation (22nd). A Short-eared Owl (probably in off the sea) and a juvenile Arctic Skua were seen at Out Head. Observations at Edenside included three Little Egrets, 12 (+30 young) Canada Geese, six Goosanders, 16 Dunlins, c50 Curlews, c500 Redshanks, one Greenshank, one Common Sandpiper and two Ospreys. A juvenile Marsh Harrier (with a yellow tag) was noted at Kilconquhar Loch and a Quail, a Whinchat and eight Wheatears were noted at Kingsbarns (23rd). ‪‪Visible migration atFerry Hills included ‪three Red-throated Divers, one Bonxie, five Whimbrels, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, 36 Arctic Terns, 139 Tree Pipits, 200 Sand Martins, two Redstarts and three Spotted Flycatchers. Two Jays were noted at Morton Lochs NNR and there was an unusual urban record of two juvenile Redstarts feeding on flying ants on a small privet bush in a Kirkcaldy garden. Staying with the Lang Toun, a Ruff was present at Seafield where there was also the uncommon sight of a Whimbrel on top of a house and a single of this species was also noted flying west over Strathkinness. A busy day continued with 16 Snipe, a Green Sandpiper, three Ruff, 11 Black-tailed Godwits, and a (hybrid) Barnacle Goose in amongst a flock of Greylags at Wilderness and one Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpipers at Angle Park (24th). An immature Cuckoo was seen briefly at Cellardyke, one Curlew Sandpiper and two Ruff were spied from the Eden Estuary Centre and a Whimbrel was on the rocks near the Castle at St Andrews (26th). Then along at West Sands there were six Ruff, 160 Knot, 30 Dunlins, two Greenshanks and seven Little Gulls plus 130 more at sea. Only one adult Mediterranean Gull was noted at Buckhaven, 130 Greylag Geese were on stubble at Barns Farm and a juvenile Black Tern was on the beach at Levenmouth where there was also a Kingfisher (27th). Up at Loch Glow an Osprey, a Merlin, a Common Sandpiper, a Snipe and Crossbills were all noted. A juvenile Marsh Harrier was seen from Edenside, also three Ospreys, a White-tailed Eagle,115 Canada Geese and 20 Goosanders whilst, nearby, nine Little Egrets together were observed from the Eden Estuary Centre; a new Fife record count. Close by, at Balgove Bay, six Ruff, two Pintails, two Ospreys and c80 Canada Geese were seen with seven Whimbrel circling overhead. A Kingfisher was also noted there as well as at Cullaloe LNR where there was also a Sparrowhawk and a Common Sandpiper. The East Wemyss Mediterranean Gull total was 13: six adults (including 3ERA and 36L1), two second summer and five first winter (28th).

At Wilderness there were nine Snipe, three Curlew Sandpipers, one Greenshank, six Ruff and six Black-tailed Godwits whilst Fairmont, St. Andrews saw 38 Little Gulls and 12 Canada Geese pass west with a Greenshank and 13 White Wagtails also present there (29th). The Mediterranean Gull counts for the month were rounded off by a second summer at West Wemyss harbour, five adults and a second summer at East Wemyss and two adults on the beach at Dysart where two Manx Shearwaters passed very close west. At Wilderness there were four Curlew Sandpipers, two Ruff, three Bar-tailed Godwits, seven Black-tailed Godwits and 20+ Snipe (30th) with the Ruff count increasing by one the next day when the Black-tailed Godwits were up to c10 and the lingering four Curlew Sandpipers were joined by a Greenshank. At Cullaloe LNR a juvenile Garganey was seen with 98 Teal. At Out Head two juvenile Black Terns and a Bonxie were noted and the month closed with three Wheatears at Plains Farm, Dunshalt (31st).

Information suplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware and GrahamSparshott

The arrival of three first summer Mediterranean Gulls at East Wemyss provoked the thought that this corner of Fife could once again be Scotland’s hotspot for this species. At Wilderness the Whooper Swan and adult Little Gull remained from last month and were accompanied by three Common Sandpipers, four Black-tailed Godwits and one Whimbrel then Angle Park GP hosted a Green Sandpiper (1st). A first summer Mediterranean Gull was on Balcomie Beach, 216 Manx Shearwaters passed Anstruther and 100 Black-tailed Godwits, with many in full summer plumage, were at Valleyfield Lagoons. 11 Manx Shearwaters, two Greenshanks, two Peregrines and 38 Goosanders were at Dalgety Bay (2nd). A Quail was calling at Balcomie, 12 Manx Shearwaters, 51 Puffins and an Arctic Skua all flew west past Kinghorn, the Green Sandpiper was still present at Angle Park GP and at East Wemyss the Mediterranean Gull count was one adult, one second summer and five first summer (3rd) with the same totals there the following day. Four Dabchicks were accompanied by three young at Morton Lochs NNR with two of this species also noted at Drumoig (4th). At Balcomie a Quail was in a field between the castle and the entrance to Kilminning and a Knot was on the beach, then at Kingsbarns a Quail was in a poppy field just before the entrance to beach car park. At Newton Sandpit the Black-headed Gull colony was down to c20, while other species noted there included a Kestrel, five Stock Doves, a Sedge Warbler and four Dabchicks then five of the latter species were recorded at Linkswood Pond/Flood (6th). Eight first summer and one second summer Mediterranean Gulls were at East Wemyss, a pair of nesting Spotted Flycatchers produced young at Falkland Estate’s ‘Pillars of Hercules’ and a Quail was still singing at the entrance to Balcomie with a first summer Mediterranean Gull and a Knot seen on the beach there (7th).

The Quail was still present at Balcomie the next day (8th), a Green Sandpiper and the Whooper Swan remained at Wilderness (10th) and a Common Sandpiper was noted at Cullaloe NR then a Manx Shearwater and a group of ten Whimbrels flew over Fairmont (12th). 27 Manx Shearwaters, 101 Goosanders and an Arctic Skua were off Pathhead, four Black-tailed Godwits, and four Common Sandpipers were present at Wilderness and the first Tree Pipit of the autumn was recorded at Ferry Hills where three Little Gulls and three Red-throated Divers flew inland (13th). Edenside held three Little Egrets, 14 Cormorants, six Grey Herons, one Osprey, 35 Lapwings, 29 Curlews and 48 Redshanks. Sightings at Pathhead included four adult and one first summer Little Gulls, one Manx Shearwater, 90+ Goosanders and a Common Sandpiper. A busy day continued with three Mediterranean Gulls (two adult, one second summer) at Inverkeithing Harbour, two (possibly three) Quail near Troustie House, and a count from Fife Ness of 36 Manx Shearwaters, one Arctic Skua, one Bonxie and two Mediterranean Gulls (14th).

A female Redstart was at Cameron Reservoir, two Quail were singing near Troustie House and three Green Sandpipers turned up at Angle Park GP (15th). Seawatching at Fife Ness produced eight Manx Shearwaters, a Great Northern Diver and one Whimbrel then one of the now regular reports from Wilderness included three Common Sandpipers, one Black-tailed Godwit and seven Snipe. Two Quail were still at Troustrie, 12 Mute Swans were accompanied by 17 young at Newburgh and the East Wemyss gull roost included three adult and one first summer Mediterranean Gulls (16th). At Wilderness there were three Common Sandpipers with the same number also at  Angle Park GP as well as a Green Sandpiper (17th) which lingered the following day when the Wilderness tally was four Common Sandpipers, one Black-tailed Godwit and the Whooper Swan. The East Wemyss Mediterranean Gull count was two adults, seven first summer and a juvenile (18th) changing to eleven first summer and one second summer the next day when an adult was also seen on Dysart east beach. Our contribution to the Wood Sandpiper influx was one in the north-east corner of Letham Pools (19th) and it was also there the next day as well as a Water Rail. Wilderness hosted one Green Sandpiper, two Common Sandpipers, one Black-tailed Godwit and a Little Egret while Caiplie held one Yellow Wagtail (20th). Two Quail were singing from fields to the north of the beach car park at Kingsbarns and 46 Golden Plovers were on rocks at St Monans saltpans (21st).

At Loch Glow there were two Ospreys fishing, two Ravens, three Great Black-backed Gulls and a flock of at least ten Crossbills (22nd). A Red Kite was being mobbed by a Buzzard and corvids near Lochhead Landfill. Wilderness held a Common Sandpiper (23rd). A Whimbrel was at East Wemyss with seven also noted at Kingsbarns as well as a Quail, the Wood Sandpiper was still present at Letham Pools (24th) and was also seen the following day when a Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were at Wilderness and two Ospreys were observed from the Eden Estuary Centre. The  Fife Ness count was a Sooty Shearwater, 107 Manx Shearwaters, one Arctic Skua and seven Knot. East Wemyss held seven first summer Mediterranean Gulls (25th) increasing to nine the next day along with one adult and one second summer as well as a Whimbrel. Still with gulls, 260 Little Gulls were in the air and on the sea at St Andrews East Sands in the evening (26th) and an immature Mediterranean Gull was on Balcomie Beach accompanied by a Whimbrel, 70 Dunlins and 20 Sanderlings. Back at East Wemyss the tally was one adult, two second summer, three first summer and one juvenile Mediterranean Gull (27th) but only one adult, three first summers and one juvenile were noted the following day. Kinghorn sightings included ten Manx Shearwaters, 19 Puffins, 26 Common Scoters and a Tufted Duck then a further report from Pettycur comprised three Manx Shearwaters, a Whimbrel and seven Turnstones. Whimbrel sightings continued with one at Edenside, two over Morton Lochs NNR and one on the rocks at Fife Ness from where one Sooty Shearwater, 116 Manx Shearwaters, three Bonxies, three Arctic Skuas, 67 Common Scoters, two Velvet Scoters and an adult Little Gull were also spied as well as a Yellow Wagtail at the golf practice area. Valleyfield /Newmills hosted four Common Sandpipers, two Knot, 85 Redshanks, two Greenshanks and 28 Dunlins and Edenside held two Little Egrets (28th).

One second calendar year Long-tailed Skua and four Arctic Terns flew inland at Ferry Hills where nine Tree Pipits passed over. Four Dabchicks were noted at Morton Lochs NNR, a Quail was flushed from the coastal path at Fife Ness where a Whimbrel and a Manx Shearwater were seen passing and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull was east of the mouth of the River Leven (30th). Wilderness held a Little Stint and a juvenile Water Rail then a later report was of a Temminck’s Stint, one Black-tailed Godwit and two Snipe. 40 Goosanders were at Dalgety Bay, a flock of up to 20 Tree Sparrows were feeding in a wheat field at Bathmoor Plantationand an Osprey was on Preston Island at Valleyfield Lagoons where also noted were a Green Sandpiper, one Short-eared Owl, 18 Lapwings, two Common Sandpipers, 30+ Common Terns, four+ Sandwich Terns and a Mediterranean Gull. A Greenshank was present at Fairmont, St Andrews where offshore were spied two adult Long-tailed Skuas, a second calendar year Long-tailed Skua, four Arctic Skuas and 132 Little Gulls (31st).

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware and Graham Sparshott