News

The 2022 AGM will be at the Dean Park Hotel on 7th July at 7.30 p.m.

Garganey were still showing at St Andrews and Cameron Reservoir on the 1st with the pair and the drake respectively. 35 Golden Plover were counted on East Lomond, a Greenshank was on the Stinky Pool at Fife Ness and a Red Kite went over Tentsmuir. A female Marsh Harrier at Luthrie early morning on the 2nd flushed 128 Wigeon and nearby at Letham Pools an Osprey
flew NW with five Water Rail showing well. Another Osprey flew over Golden Loch, 470 Pinkfooted Geese were at Rossie Bog with the first reported Wheatear seen later in the day and two Short-eared Owls were noted at Cameron Reservoir. Good conditions early on the 3rd resulted in a Black-necked Grebe, three Red-necked Grebes, six Black-throated Divers, one Great Northern Diver, four Red-throated Divers and ten Slavonian Grebes being seen off Lower Largo. The only report on the 4th was of 21 Corn Buntings in a field near the caravan park at Cellardyke and the first reported Swallow sighting came from St Andrews the next day. The Garganey was reported again at Cameron Reservoir on the 6th as was the Green Sandpiper at Lochore Meadows Country Park. Four Greenshank were at The Wilderness on the 7th and at Fife Ness that day a seawatch included 20 Red-throated Divers (13S and 7N) and a Blackthroated Diver with six Purple Sandpipers on the rocks.

An Osprey flew north over Ferry Hills on the 8th with single Red-necked Grebe and Blackthroated Diver at Lower Largo and two Twite located in a Linnet flock upstream at Guardbridge. Early morning on the 9th began with three Ospreys coming in off the sea at Kinghorn, with two Great Northern Divers and four Red-throated Divers seen. Just along the coast at Dysart at the same time another Osprey and two Greenshanks flew over and two Black-throated Divers flew E with 70 Twite noted at Boghall, Kingsbarns. A White-fronted Goose was reported in the Pitlessie area, a Willow Warbler was at Crossford and a Short-eared Owl was watched at Caiplie. At Fife Ness the next day 17 Red-throated Divers passed going N with a Whimbrel also seen and nearby 30 Twite were still at Boghall, Kingsbarns with two Manx Shearwaters heading north at Fife Ness on the 11th. 100 Golden Plover were still to be found at the airfield at Crail on the 13th with a few more of the commoner migrants i.e. Wheatear, Swallows and Willow Warblers appearing throughout the county at this time. 46 Pintail and two Scaup were at the Eden Estuary the following day with five White Wagtails seen at Kilrenny Mill.

The 15th began with an excellent record of 62 Velvet Scoters first thing at Pathhead and an adult Little Gull at Letham Pools. A Merlin flew over Shell Bay on the 16th with c260 Common Scoters and 53 Velvet Scoters off Dysart and nearby a Firecrest was reported from Ravenscraig Park, Kirkcaldy. The first Tree Pipit went over Ferry Hills early morning and a Marsh Harrier was at Letham Pools. Grasshopper Warblers were noted on the 17th at Blairhall and Kinghorn with a Whimbrel and 12 Purple Sandpipers at Ruddons Point. c35 Twite were still at Boghall, Kingsbarns and a single Manx Shearwater flew S there with another at Fife Ness the next day and a Whimbrel seen. Two Common Cranes were also photographed flying S over Loch Glow on the 18th. Two Sedge Warblers were at Letham Pools on the 19th, the first reported returning birds and an excellent find there the next day was a Spotted Crake showing well at times. Unfortunately there was no sign on the 21st when a Black-throated Diver and a Whimbrel flew past Fife Ness.

Late afternoon on the 22nd there was a report of a Great Shearwater going north past Kingsbarns then turning and heading S. 11 Manx Shearwaters, two Scaup, a Whimbrel, seven Red-throated Divers and two Arctic Skuas flew N at Fife Ness on the 23rd. The following day two Green Sandpipers were at Luthrie and nine Manx Shearwaters passed Ruddons Point heading E with a Whimbrel also there. 23 Manx Shearwaters, two Arctic Skuas and two Bonxies went N past Fife Ness, also on the 24th. Three Ruff were noted at Letham Pools on the 25th with only one remaining the following day. 65 Barnacle Geese and 62 Common Scoters went past Fife Ness on the 27th and a Yellow Wagtail flew over Bogward road St Andrews, calling as it did so. A Wood Sandpiper graced the floods at Luthrie on the 28th with the single Ruff remaining at Letham Pools and a Quail was heard singing at Kilmany late that evening. A Lesser Whitethroat was seen on the coastal path between Kinghorn and Seafield Tower on the 29th. The last day of the month saw a Wood Sandpiper flushed by a dog at Holl Reservoir while Grasshopper Warblers were being seen at various sites throughout the county and the first reported Spotted Flycatcher was at Lower Kilminning. Letham Pools was visited by eight Black-tailed Godwits with the Ruff still present and c4 Water Rail.

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware

FBC member Leo du Feu has combined with fellow artists to set up an art raffle / prize draw in support of the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and invites you to take part via a JustGiving page: – www.justgiving.com/fundraising/platformstudiosartraffle

At the link, click on the poppies & studio photo, or the ‘gallery view’ icon to see all the prizes. You have until the end of March to take part, the prize draw will be announced on Friday 1st April.

Kinshaldy proved a popular place early in the month, with c20 Snow Buntings in the dunes, five Crossbills around the car park and 19 Stock Doves in fields N of the entrance road (1st), six Lesser Redpolls were seen at Newburgh, 10 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Coble Shore on the Eden Estuary LNR (2nd) and an adult Mediterranean Gull was on Balcomie Beach. There was a count of 15 Corn Buntings at Balbuthie Farm and seen on the Kilconquhar Estate were six Jays and two Buzzards. There were four adult Mediterranean Gulls and c120 Kittiwakes at Burntisland and noted at the lagoon at Tentsmuir Point NNR were one Shelduck, one Greenshank, c12 Wigeon, c36 Teal and a pair Long-tailed Ducks. Seen from Fife Ness (3rd) were one Great Skua N, five Common Scoters N, 30 Razorbills N, two Red-throated Divers and two Siskins, with another Great Skua seen off Kinshaldy, along with four Slavonian Grebes, two Red-throated Divers, 10 Long-tailed Ducks, also seen in the area were c16 Snow Buntings and two Crossbills. A Great Skua was also seen from St Andrews. An adult Mediterranean Gull headed W at Buckhaven, the highlights of a count at Newmills were 21 Black-tailed Godwits, one Greenshank, one Grey Wagtail, a hybrid Hooded Crow, eight Pintails and 21 Ringed Plovers. Three Stonechats were seen on Forret Hill near Kilmany (4th), a Kingfisher was seen on the Kinness Burn in St Andrews and the count of Snow Buntings at Kinshaldy crept up to 26. Seen from Kinghorn (5th) were three adult Mediterranean Gulls W, two Red-throated Divers W, 13 Common Scoters, one Peregrine, c1340 Herring Gulls W, 27 Great Black[1]backed Gulls W and also two Manx Shearwaters were seen lingering offshore, amongst the c500 Pink-feet at Cameron Reservoir a Barnacle Goose was seen, 12 Whooper Swans were also present. The drake Smew was still present at Cameron Reservoir (6th), two Little Auks went past Anstruther, a Brambling was seen at Kilmany and at Falside Mill, Kingsbarns there was an excellent count of c125 Stock Doves made. Nearby at Boghall the eight Pale-bellied Brent Geese were still present and seen from Windmill Road, Cellardyke were c30 Corn Buntings in a crop field with four Crossbills seen in the pines. A 2nd calendar year Peregrine was seen over Crail and noted passing Fife Ness were one Manx Shearwater N, one Great Northern Diver N, five Gannets N, 150 Kittiwakes, nine Common Scoters, one Red-breasted Merganser N, five Red-throated Divers and 25 Purple Sandpipers. A single Lesser Black-backed Gull was noted from Kirkcaldy Prom.12 Golden Plovers were seen on Forret Hill near Kilmany (7th), while a male Goshawk was seen high up over Kilconquhar Loch, seen in Spinkie Den, St Andrews were a Chiffchaff which was in with a large tit and Goldcrest flock, also noted were a singing Siskin, one Woodcock, one Jay and a Dipper. At The Wilderness 12 Whooper Swans and c11 Shoveler were noted, one Lesser Black-backed Gull, one Water Rail and four Snipe were at Letham Pools and at Lindores Loch, c55 Goosanders and 22 Cormorants were counted. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was seen at Guardbridge.

25 Snow Buntings were counted at Tentsmuir (8th), 20 Corn Buntings and at least six Yellowhammers were in a clover crop, at Cellardyke, a single adult Mediterranean Gull was in the gull roost at East Wemyss (9th) and counted from Fife Ness (10th) were two Manx Shearwaters, one Fulmar, six Gannets, 45 Shags, 20 Cormorants, 12 Purple Sandpipers, eight Turnstones and a Sparrowhawk. Three adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Dysart and seen on Balcomie Beach (11th) were 65 Sanderlings, 10 Dunlins and 35 Purple Sandpipers. The drake Smew was still present at Cameron Reservoir, an adult Mediterranean Gull was upstream of the bridges at Guardbridge, a Short-eared Owl was seen on Benarty Hill and there were still six Bramblings at Kincraig Hill (12th). A Red-breasted Merganser and a Great Crested Grebe were seen on Kilconquhar Loch, noted around the Tentsmuir Point NNR area were three Long-tailed Ducks, two Little Egrets, c25 Snow Buntings, one Green Woodpecker and a Greenshank, c1250 Pink-feet were in fields at Daubs Farm, Dunshalt and not far away at least six Ravens were seen on West Lomond. Seen at the Wilderness were one Greenshank, c10 Snipe and 14 Whooper Swans, 10 pairs of Gadwall were counted at Letham Pools and counted passing Fife Ness (13th) were one Manx Shearwater N then S, one Black-throated Diver S, four Red-throated Divers, 63 Long-tailed Ducks S, one Velvet Scoter S, two Common Scoters S, four Gannets, nine Fulmars, eight Pink-footed Geese W and 453 Kittiwakes, mostly S. Seen from Kinghorn were a Great Northern Diver, one Manx Shearwater, 17 Long-tailed Ducks, two Velvet Scoters and seven Common Scoters, a Kittiwake was noted at St Andrews and nine Snow Buntings were seen on the edge of the dunes at the Goosepools. A count from Fife Ness (14th) included 27 Gannets N, three Red[1]throated Divers, 15 Common Scoters, seven Fulmars, one Red-breasted Merganser, three Long-tailed Ducks, 244 Kittiwakes S, 300 large auks N, 30 Great Black-backed Gulls N, 150 Common Gulls and 70 Eiders S and nearby at Balcomie Beach there were 63 Sanderlings and 14 Purple Sandpipers. Seen offshore at Leven were one Red-necked Grebe, 190 Common Scoters, 30 Velvet Scoters and two Red-throated Divers and on the sea wall at Leven were 49 Redshanks, one Purple Sandpiper and two Sanderlings.

A single Great Northern Diver passed Fife Ness (15th) heading S, a Greenshank was close by on the stinky pool at Fife Ness, there was a count of 226 Greylag Geese on sheep pasture at Barns Farm (17th), an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Buckhaven and counted from the Bruce Embankment at St Andrews (18th) were 35 Purple Sandpipers and seven Rock Pipits. Amongst the c3500 Pink-feet present at Kincaple were four Barnacle Geese, the drake Smew was still present at Cameron Reservoir (19th), also a Jack Snipe was flushed by a dog from the SE corner and a Short-eared Owl was seen hunting over fields on the south side. A Little Egret was seen flying along the coastline between Fife Ness and Crail, a male Brambling was noted at New Gilston, seen at Loch Gelly were a Scaup, 15 Pochard, one Water Rail and 10 Oystercatchers. Four Long-tailed Ducks, two Shelducks and two Greenshanks were on the lagoon at Tentsmuir Point NNR, nine Scaup, four Red-breasted Mergansers, 11 Brent Geese, one drake Pintail and a drake Long-tailed Duck were seen on the Eden Estuary LNR (20th). The Smew was still at Cameron Reservoir, a Red Kite was seen at Morton Lochs NNR (21st), with another, or the same bird, seen feeding on carrion at Rossie Bog. A Red-throated Diver was off Braefoot Terminal, a Green-winged Teal was with c300 Teal at The Wilderness, along with three Greenshanks and 11 Whooper Swans. At Balbuthie Farm c1000 Pink-feet were seen, a male Goshawk was seen at Dairsie and a Short-eared Owl was seen on Norman’s Law.

A Green Woodpecker was in Dam Wood, Leven (22nd), the Green-winged Teal was still present at the Wilderness and another Red Kite was seen, this time in St Andrews. The over-wintering Common Sandpiper was seen at Guardbridge, along with two Pintails, one Shoveler, two Goosanders and one Little Egret. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at East Wemyss (24th), 17 Whooper Swans were at Star of Markinch, a Red-necked Grebe was seen just off the car park at Leven (25th) and the Green-winged Teal was still present at The Wilderness, along with two Greenshanks. Seen from the Golf Museum car park in St Andrews were 78 Scaup, with 22 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, two Slavonian Grebes, 19 Scaup, two Little Egrets and 70 Pintails seen in the Out Head/Balgove Bay area. Two Ravens were seen at Broombrae Farm, Auchtermuchty, the drake Smew was still at Cameron Reservoir, with the first Lesser Black-backed Gull of the spring at that site and a Short-eared Owl was watched hunting over rough ground to the south of the reservoir. Seen off Kinghorn were a Great Skua W, also a 2nd winter and at least one adult Mediterranean Gull feeding offshore, 11 Yellowhammers was an usual count at the Urquhart Depot in Dunfermline, and a Woodcock was flushed near the Silverdyke War Memorial, Kilrenny. A Ross’s Goose was an excellent find at Pitlessie (26th), a long awaited first for Fife and proved very popular until the months end. Counted at Daubs Farm, Dunshalt were c700 Pink-feet, a Greenshank was heard calling as it passed over a Kirkcaldy Retail Park in the evening, the drake Smew, 13 Whooper Swans and 3000 Pink-footed Geese were seen at Cameron Reservoir (27th) and the Green-winged Teal was still present at The Wilderness. Seen off Fife Ness were 1 Manx Shearwater N, one Scaup N, eight Common Scoters N, 30 Gannets, 200 Kittiwakes and six Red-throated Divers and on Parkdale playing fields, Leven an adult Mediterranean Gull was seen well.

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware

Seen from Kinghorn (1st) were 62 Eiders E, 20W, four Common Scoters E, one Red-breasted Merganser W, two Little Gulls W and four Red-throated Divers W, two drake Pintail were in Torry Bay, a 3rd calendar year Mediterranean Gull was in the Gull roost at Cambo. A ringtail Hen Harrier flew over the stubbles near the old Kirk at Boarhills, a Kingfisher was seen at St Andrews Harbour (2nd), a Greenshank was at Kilrenny Mill and seen at Balgove Bay were two Little Egrets and c20 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. Not far away at St Andrews, c60 Scaup and a Slavonian Grebe were seen offshore from the Golf Museum Car Park. The Black-necked Grebe was still present on the S side of Cameron Reservoir, also the drake Smew, c9 Pintail, three Goosanders, c150 Wigeon, c40 Teal, c40 Goldeneye and 12 Whooper Swans were present. Three Golden Plovers and 27 Ringed Plovers were in a grass field, opposite the Golf Course at Anstruther, 35 Twite and 10 Rock Pipits were noted at Earlsferry Links and seen at Fife Ness (3rd) were a Greenshank W, a 3rd calendar year Mediterranean Gull in-off the sea and one Puffin. 60 Corn Buntings, 20 Grey Partridges, one Purple Sandpiper and one Scandinavian Rock Pipit were at Kilrenny Mill and the Black-necked Grebe, drake Smew and a Kingfisher were present at Cameron Reservoir, with the Black-necked Grebe and Smew still present at Cameron Reservoir (4th), along with a Brambling. Seen at Out Head were 16 Pale[1]bellied Brent Geese and a Snow Bunting, a Raven went over Forres Drive, Glenrothes, a scarce bird here, two Ravens were seen at Braefoot Point and nearby at Barns Farm were c200 Greylags on sheep pasture. Eight Snow Buntings, one White-tailed Eagle, one Merlin, one Little Egret and two Crossbills were seen at Tentsmuir (5th), a very scarce wintering Common Sandpiper was at Guardbridge, a Black-throated Diver was fairly close in off the seawall at Burntisland, a Greenshank was at Boarhills and noted at Kilconquhar Loch were two Scaup, a female and a 2nd calendar year drake. At Lade Braes, St Andrews, a male Goshawk, in a hunting stoop, flushed all the Woodpigeons and Herring Gulls and not far away on Bogward Road a Common Chiffchaff was heard calling. On the Eden Estuary c45 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were ina field N of the A91, 105 Scaup were offshore from the Golf Museum Car Park, St Andrews, two Scaup were on Kilconquhar Loch and an immature Goshawk was seen on Windmill Road, Cellardyke, a Great Northern Diver was at Burntisland Harbour mouth and 130 Corn Buntings and four Ravens were seen at Coal Farm, St Monans. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Kinghorn Loch, the Black-necked Grebe was still 150m out from the east end of the sea wall at Burntisland, along with a Great Crested Grebe. The drake Smew, c50 Goldeneye, c45 Tufted Ducks, c40 Wigeon, c40 Teal and four Goldcrests were noted at Cameron Reservoir (6th), a Black Throated Diver S and one Great Northern Diver S were seen off Fife Ness (7th), seen at East Lomond, Lomond Hills were 10 Snow Buntings, one Snipe, two Red Grouse, one Raven, two Bullfinches and one Stonechat. Kilmany had c45 Golden Plovers, 25 Whooper Swans were on the pond on the S side of Loch Fitty, c45 Twite were in the field by the green and cream disused hut at Kingsbarns, also a Greenshank was present. A Ring-necked Parakeet was in the Scots Pines at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy and seen at Fife Ness were 13 Purple Sandpipers, two Great Northern Divers, eight Red-throated Divers and one Puffin. A possible White-billed Diver flew from St Andrews Bay towards Out Head.

1km offshore from West Wemyss (8th), c850 Shags were present. Noted at Boghall, Kingsbarns were c60 Twite, the drake Smew was present at Cameron Reservoir and counted at Falside Mill, Boarhills were c100 Stock Doves, c350 Linnets and c100 Goldfinches. Offshore from the Golf Museum Car Park at St Andrews were 106 Scaup, two Nuthatches were seen in the greenhouse garden in Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline (9th), the drake Smew was still present at Cameron Reservoir and seen from the Coastal Path between Lower Largo and Kincraig were two Ravens seen heading N at Kincraig. A Jack Snipe was at Cocklemill, with another on a pool near Carrick Villa, three Stonechats were also seen. A ringtail Hen Harrier was first seen at Boarhills and then a short while later at Dunino, with these being presumed as the same bird. 11 Whooper Swans were seen in fields, from the track up to Cameron Reservoir and 400 Pink-feet were seen from Blacklaws Road, Kilrenny. The Black-necked Grebe was still offshore from Burntisland Harbour, with a Great Northern Diver and c8 Kittiwakes also noted, seven Bramblings were at Kincraig and three Purple Sandpipers and eight Turnstones were at Kinghorn. At Kincraig (10th) there were c56 Bramblings, c300 Linnets and 12 Grey Partridges, c17 Snow Buntings and two Snipe were at Kinshaldy, a Chiffchaff, one Goldcrest, eight Siskin and three Collared Doves were seen in Dunfermline, the Brambling flock at Kincraig had dropped to c50 (11th), while the Kinshaldy Snow Buntings had risen to 27. 12 Brent Geese, six Slavonian Grebes, a drake Shoveler and c500 Golden Plovers were at Guardbridge, 14 Whooper Swans were seen at Lochore Meadows CP and from Blacklaws Road, Kilrenny a flock of c500 Pink-feet included one Barnacle Goose. A Kingfisher was seen at Inverkeithing and the Pink-feet flock at Kilrenny included two Barnacle Geese (12th), a White-tailed Eagle flew N over Kilmany, an adult Mediterranean Gull and a Goosander were at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy and at Cocklemill Burn 20 Twite were seen. 19 Grey Partridges at Barns Farm was a good count, a male Goshawk graced Kilmany (13th), the c10 Bramblings amongst other finches at Kincraig were scattered by a Merlin and a large mixed finch and bunting flock at Coal Farm, St Monans included c50 Twite and c50 Linnets. A Short-eared Owl was seen at lower Kilminning and noted at Inverkeithing Harbour were one Dipper, 50 Dunlins, five Turnstones and six Curlews. At Leuchars (14th) a White-tailed Eagle passed over NW. The drake Smew, one Little Egret and 10 Whooper Swans were at Cameron Reservoir (15th). c20 Bramblings were still at Kincraig, along with seven Twite and c1000 Linnets, a Slavonian Grebe was at Dalgety Bay and at Cocklemill Marsh 12 Twite were noted. A Chiffchaff was a good find at Kinshaldy, nine Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Kingsbarns and noted at Dysart were two adult Mediterranean Gulls, one Slavonian Grebe and 23 Long-tailed Ducks. There was a good count of 180 Siskins at Valleyfield, the Black-necked Grebe and three Black[1]throated Divers were seen from Leven and noted at St Andrews were 98 Scaup and two Purple Sandpipers.

The drake Smew and 12 Whooper Swans were still present at Cameron Reservoir (16th), the Black-necked Grebe was still offshore at Leven, also one Black-throated Diver and a Red-necked Grebe were noted there, five Skylarks were at Out Head and seen at Windmill Road, Cellardyke was a male Merlin. The Black-necked Grebe was still off Leven (17th), a male Merlin was seen near Dunfermline, two adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Rosyth and seen at Craigluscar were one Scaup, seven Goldeneye, four Tufted Ducks and two Whooper Swans. Two Slavonian Grebes and three Purple Sandpipers were at Lower Largo, two adult Mediterranean Gulls and eight Purple Sandpipers were noted at Dysart (19th). A Little Auk passed Fife Ness and another Black-necked Grebe was seen on the Eden Estuary and seen from Fairmont, St Andrews were one Black-throated Diver, six Red-throated Divers, three Greenshanks and two Purple Sandpipers. Noted off Fife Ness (20th) were one Red[1]necked Grebe S, one Manx Shearwater N, one Great Northern Diver N, one Black Guillemot S, one adult Little Gull N, 11 Gannets, 150 Kittiwakes N, one Goldeneye S 12 Red[1]throated Divers, four Long-tailed Ducks a Greenshank and 36 Common Scoters, the Black[1]necked Grebe, three Slavonian Grebes, two Red-throated Divers, 20 Common Scoters, three Velvet Scoters, 12 Long-tailed Ducks and one Lesser Black-backed Gull were seen from Leven, two Bramblings were seen near Lochgelly and seen from the Eden Estuary Centre were the Black-necked Grebe, 52 Black-tailed Godwits, six Grey Plovers, 82 Golden Plovers, 14 Brent Geese, two Little Egrets, and c1200 Dunlins. Seen from Windmill Road, Cellardyke (21st) were one Buzzard over, 15 Twite in a crop field, along with 12 Skylarks, 10 Corn Buntings, c20 Linnets, c15 Long-tailed Tits, eight Siskins and c12 Goldfinches, noted at Kinshaldy were c25 Snow Buntings and two Long-tailed Ducks were on the lagoon, seen from Fife Ness were one Black Guillemot W, 16 Common Scoters S, 60 Eiders S, eight Long-tailed Ducks S, two Red[1]breasted Mergansers S, five Gannets, 60 Kittiwakes and 14 Red-throated Divers and at Kincraig, c775 Linnets, c7 Bramblings and at least two Twite were seen. The drake Smew was still present at Cameron Reservoir, a 3rd calendar year Mediterranean Gull was by Anstruther Golf Club clubhouse, with another 3rd calendar year Mediterranean Gull seen heading W at Pittenweem. At Guardbridge were two Whooper Swans, one Little Egret, 73 Black-tailed Godwits and c210 Lapwings.

 The drake Smew, one Little Egret and 10 Whooper Swans were at Cameron Reservoir (22nd), seen from Fife Ness were one Black Guillemot S, 11 Long-tailed Ducks S, 15 Common Scoters S, c100 Eider S, 46 Pink-footed Geese N, four Red-throated Divers, two Red-breasted Mergansers, one juvenile Gannet N, one Lesser Black-backed Gull N, 30 Kittiwakes N, 10 Fulmars N and 345 large Auks N, with the vast majority of these being Guillemots. At Kincraig, c500 Linnets, c7 Twite and six Bramblings were seen, with c50 Twite and c200 Linnets seen nearby at Cocklemill Burn. One Red-necked Grebe, one Great Northern Diver, a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull W, five Red-throated Divers, 70 Common Scoters, two Kittiwakes, c600 Black-headed Gulls W and c200 auks, mostly Guillemots passing W were seen off Kinghorn (23rd), an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Loch Gelly and c25 Snow Buntings were still showing well at Kinshaldy, nine Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Kingsbarns, a female Merlin was at Lumquhat Farm, Auchtermuchty and still present at Cameron Reservoir was the drake Smew, with one Water Rail, 10 Whooper Swans, three Fieldfares, two Ravens and two Goosanders also present. 29 Whooper Swans, two Shoveler and 3000 Pink-footed Geese were counted at the Wilderness, a Pintail and one Lesser Black-backed Gull were at Angle Park GP and not far away at Letham Pools, 13 Whooper Swans were noted. A Chiffchaff was at Burntisland, there was a good count of 15 Bullfinches made at East Lomond (24th) and a 2nd calendar year male Merlin was seen between Crail and Anstruther, a Red-throated Diver was off North Queensferry and a 2nd calendar year male Peregrine was seen at Pittenweem (25th). An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen off Burntisland, 147 Velvet Scoters and 41 Long-tailed Ducks were counted from Lower Largo, a Great Northern Diver, the Black-necked Grebe, 277 Common Scoters, 44 Velvet Scoters, 49 Red-breasted Mergansers, 41 Long-tailed Ducks and two Scaup were seen from Leven and the flock of nine Pale-bellied Brent Geese were still at Kingsbarns. An adult female Merlin, c14 Bramblings and c565 Linnets were seen at Kincraig, a good count at Pettycur of c12000 Gulls included three adult Mediterranean Gulls and an adult Little Gull, a Great Northern Diver passed Anstruther W and the Black-necked Grebe was still showing well in the channel on the Eden Estuary, also noted were three Greenshanks, 11 Brent Geese and eight Pintails. Four Crossbills were seen around the car park at Kinshaldy, a Merlin passed over Anstruther, three Woodcocks were seen in Bog Wood, Craigtoun and not far away at Cameron Reservoir, the drake Smew, five Goosanders and 12 Whooper Swans were noted. A Red-necked Grebe was off Leven (27th), with the Black[1]necked Grebe, seven Red-throated Divers, 25 Long-tailed Ducks and 35 Red-breasted Mergansers, also noted there, but from the east end.

A Black Guillemot, three Red-throated Divers, four Slavonian Grebes and 16 Razorbills were seen off Lower Largo, two Woodcocks and a hybrid Hooded x Carrion Crow were noted at Braefoot, 30 Common Scoters were off Kinghorn (28th), with two Scandinavian Herring Gulls and one adult Mediterranean Gull at nearby Kinghorn Loch. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen near Freuchie, five Barnacle Geese passed W over Fife Ness (29th), a Crossbill was seen at Morton Lochs NNR and seen at Tentsmuir were 24 Snow Buntings in the dunes to N of car park, also two Greenshanks, two Dunlins, two Long-tailed Ducks, a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers, six Goldeneye, and three Teal were all on the Lagoon, a Woodcock was also seen, as were four Crossbills around Kinshaldy Car Park. A 2nd calendar year male Peregrine was seen at Kilrenny and an adult Bonaparte’s Gull was an excellent find amongst c10000 gulls at Pettycur. A Black Guillemot was off Lower Largo (30th), an adult Little Gull W, four Great Northern Divers W, seven Red[1]throated Divers W, 86 Common Scoters, c132 Shags, 2880 Black-headed Gulls, c10 Long[1]tailed Ducks, c8 Kittiwakes, six Fulmars and c60 Guillemots were seen from Kinghorn. The drake Smew was still present at Cameron Reservoir, a Black-throated Diver passed Anstruther close in heading W, at Tayport five Little Egrets were present and noted at Tentsmuir were two Greenshanks, one Little Egret and one Red-breasted Merganser, with 24 Snow Buntings in the dunes and six Crossbills around the car park at Kinshaldy. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen to the E of Star of Markinch (31st), the Snow Bunting count crept up to 27 at Kinshaldy, also noted were three Slavonian Grebes offshore, c100 Dunlins on the beach and c10 Crossbills around the car park. A Raven passed W over Dunfermline and whilst there was no sign of the Bonaparte’s Gull at Pettycur, two adult Mediterranean Gulls were seen.

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware

A male Merlin was seen at Plains Farm, Dunshalt (3rd), 16 Long-tailed Ducks, six Red-throated Divers, one Slavonian Grebe, one Great Crested Grebe and one Guillemot were off Out Head and seen passing Fife Ness were two Little Auks N, two Puffins, five Common Scoters, 11 Long-tailed Ducks and 10 Red-throated Divers. Noted passing Fife Ness (4th) were five Little Auks, four Puffins, 19 Common Scoters, one Velvet Scoter, three Red-breasted Mergansers, 10 Long-tailed Ducks, 60 Eiders and a distant Grey Heron, with 34 Little Auks N, 21 Puffins, 48 Common Scoters, eight Velvet Scoters, 24 Long-tailed Ducks, two Wigeon, one Goldeneye, one Red-breasted Merganser, four Fulmars and 22 Red-throated Divers counted from Fife Ness (5th). Seen in the Kincraig/Ruddons Point area were one Black-tailed Godwit, c60 Yellowhammers, c150 Linnets, one Peregrine and a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull, with two Jack Snipes and 11 Snipe noted at Cocklemill. Seen from Kinghorn were 36 Little Auks, three Puffins, two Manx Shearwaters, eight Red-throated Divers, one Great Northern Diver on the sea, 43 Long-tailed Ducks and 18 Red-breasted Mergansers and at Kingsbarns were one Great Northern Diver SE, also seen were c100 Twite (80 at Boghall and 20 at Station Road). Also at Station Road were, 127 Corn Buntings, c200 Linnets, c100 Yellowhammers, c150 Chaffinches and c50 Tree Sparrows. 305 Greylags were seen feeding at Barns Farm (6th) and nearby off Braefoot Point were one Great Northern Diver, four Red-throated Divers, six Gannets and three Guillemots. Five Little Auks passed Dalgety Bay E and off Braefoot Point (7th) were one Great Northern Diver, two Great Crested Grebes and a Raven. Noted off Kinghorn (8th) were 79 Little Auks, c30 Guillemots, six Razorbills, nine Great Northern Divers, four Red-throated Divers, three Manx Shearwaters, two Fulmars, three Kittiwakes, three Slavonian Grebes and 65 Long-tailed Ducks. One possible Brünnich’s Guillemot, two Little Auks, one dead on the beach, one on the sea, seven Slavonian Grebes, two Great Northern Divers, two Red-throated Divers and c400 Shags were at Burntisland and seen from Fife Ness were one Bonxie S, one Great Northern Diver N, five Red-throated Divers N, one Long-tailed Duck S and three Common Scoters N. A female Merlin and six Whooper Swans were at Ballo Reservoir (9th), one Merlin, two Stonechats, c125 Corn Buntings, c35 Twite, 15 Yellowhammers, three Reed Buntings, c41 Tree Sparrows, four Mistle Thrushes and c230 Linnets were noted at Kingsbarns and seen at Out Head were c50 Yellowhammers, three Stonechats, eight Slavonian Grebes and one Great Crested Grebe. One Little Auk, one Guillemot, one Manx Shearwater E, 26 Long-tailed Ducks E, 18 Common Scoters W, one Red-throated Diver E, three Kittiwakes and three Red-breasted Mergansers W were seen off Kinghorn, with four Little Auks S, two Puffins, three Great Northern Divers, 14 Red-throated Divers, six Velvet Scoter N, four Common Scoters, one Long-tailed Duck and one Red-breasted Merganser counted from Fife Ness. Seen on Mugdrum Island (10th) were c10 Bearded Tits and noted on Windmill Road, Cellardyke were 50 Fieldfares, 15 Grey Partridges in a stubble field, one Goldcrest, eight Goldfinches, four Blackbirds and two Robins. Three Great Northern Divers, one adult Mediterranean Gull, two Slavonian Grebes, six Red-throated Divers, 17 Long-tailed Ducks, 28 Common Scoters and 72 Curlews W were counted between Pathhead and Dysart (11th), three Little Auks S, four Puffins, 20 Long-tailed Ducks, 28 Common Scoters, four Velvet Scoters, 21 Red-throated Divers, three Red-breasted Mergansers, 11 Purple Sandpipers, four Fulmars, six Gannets 40 Guillemots N, five Razorbills and a Fieldfare in off the sea were seen from Fife Ness and on the wet grassland at Valleyfield Lagoons, one Woodcock, 15 Snipe, two Greenshanks and a Wren were noted. Seen off Leven were one Black-throated Diver, five Slavonian Grebes, one Puffin and an adult Mediterranean Gull and from Ruddons Point a Great Northern Diver was seen. Three Ravens and a Crossbill were seen at Cameron Reservoir (12th), an adult Mediterranean Gull, two Merlins and 12 Purple Sandpipers were noted between Sauchope in Crail and Kilminning. A Chiffchaff was seen on Bogward Road, St Andrews (13th), seen off Burntisland (14th) were two Great Northern Divers, one Slavonian Grebe, four Red-throated Divers and an adult Little Gull and a ringtail Hen Harrier was seen at Mugdrum Island. A Black-necked Grebe was seen and photographed off Burntisland (15th), with another seen from Leven (19th), along with six Slavonian Grebes, one female Scaup, 20 Goldeneye and five Razorbills there. A Pomarine Skua was seen from Fife Ness and seen at Kilconquhar Loch were a 1st winter drake Scaup and two Water Rails. Counted on Loch Gelly were 24 Pochards, 48 Goldeneye, 68 Tufted Ducks, 149 Teal and 41 Cormorants, 27 Whooper Swans and 76 Wigeon were counted at Craigluscar, a Common Chiffchaff was seen at Rumblingwell, Dunfermline and noted off Kinghorn were three Manx Shearwaters. 24 Snow Buntings were seen on the edge of the dunes just north of the beach car park at Tentsmuir, the Black-necked Grebe was still present off Leven (20th), with three Slavonian Grebes and c50 Long-tailed Ducks also noted. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Anstruther and seen at Cocklemill Marsh (21st) were nine Twite, with two Great Northern Divers seen close by from Ruddons Point. The highlight at Torry Bay waseight Pintail and a Barn Owl was seen near Freuchie. Seen from Drony Road, Kingsbarns (22nd) was a ringtail Hen Harrier, c10 Twite were seen well at Kilrenny Mill, c800 Pink-feet were in fields opposite Clayton Caravan Park and a mixed flock of birds (c75) at Cellardyke included Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings and Tree Sparrows. Two Wigeon W, 16 Red-throated Divers W, one Black-throated Diver W, two Great Northern Divers W, two Manx Shearwaters, 1E, 1W were seen from Kinghorn (23rd), with an adult Little Gull and four Manx Shearwaters lingering offshore there the next day. Noted at Kinghorn (25th) were a 1st winter Glaucous Gull just off the car park throughout, 100 Curlews W, 68 Long-tailed Ducks W, 25 Common Scoters W, five Red-throated Divers W and 2E, two Great Northern Divers E, c200 Shags offshore and three 1st winter Kittiwakes. Noted there the next day were a 1st winter Glaucous Gull flying E past car park, c655 Shags, 74 Curlews, 56 Long-tailed Ducks, 36 Common Scoters, two Great Northern Divers offshore and 1W and two Red-throated Divers W and 1E. Also seen were one Red-necked Grebe, two Manx Shearwaters, 55 Great Black-backed Gulls, one Purple Sandpiper and 12 Turnstones. At Valleyfield Lagoons (27th) were 28 Snipe, one Woodcock, one Water Rail and a Snow Bunting on the sea wall. A ringtail Hen Harrier was seen hunting at Rossie Bog, with 18 Snipe also noted there. Nine Slavonian Grebes and two Great Crested Grebes were seen from Out Head, three Water Rails, 54 Goosanders, 110 Wigeon, 40 Goldeneye and five Gadwall were counted at Lindores Loch and seen in Anstruther Harbour were a Red-throated Diver, with c25 Rock Pipits seen going to roost. The Black-necked Grebe was still present off Burntisland and seen from Kinghorn (28th) were two Manx Shearwaters E, 75 Curlews E, c744 Shags, 115 Long-tailed Ducks W, 28 Common Scoters, three Red-throated Divers, two Velvet Scoters E and two Puffins W. A Barn Owl was seen just outside Kirkcaldy on the Kinghorn road, 24 Snow Buntings were on the beach close to the car park at Tentsmuir and seen on Windmill Road, Cellardyke were one Redpoll, one female Bullfinch, two Great Tits, four Blue Tits, four Coal Tits and two Blackbirds, with three Kestrels seen on Blacklaws Road, Kilrenny. Seen passing Fife Ness (29th) were 85 Long-tailed Ducks S, 32 Common Scoters S, four Velvet Scoters S, one Puffin N, 20 Red-throated Divers, 10 Fulmars, 13 Gannets N, one Purple Sandpiper N and three Golden Plovers S, a Jack Snipe was seen at St Andrews and at Cameron Reservoir (30th) were an adult drake Smew, one Black-necked Grebe and 19 Pintail. A Red-throated Diver was seen at Anstruther Harbour, a Barn Owl was seen at Shiells Farm, near Freuchie and the Black-necked Grebe was still present off Burntisland (31st), with the drake Smew also still present at Cameron Reservoir. Counted at Boghall, Kingsbarns were 30 Twite.

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware

A late juvenile Little Stint was seen at Edenside (1st), three adult Mediterranean Gulls were with the Black-headed Gull flock at Dysart, also two Red-throated Divers and c100 Redwings over SW were noted, a small fall at Fife Ness included c16 Woodcocks, two Merlins, eight Goldcrests and seven Bramblings and much further west at Craigluscar LNR there were eight Whooper Swans, including four juveniles. Seen at Ferry Hills (2nd) were four Taiga Bean Geese, 554 Pink-feet, 13 Whooper Swans, 14 Red-throated Divers, single Black-throated and Great Northern Divers, 17 Little Gulls, one Hawfinch and 30 Bramblings, two Snow Buntings were seen on West Lomond and in a St Andrews garden three Bramblings and a male Blackcap were watched. 17 Whooper Swans passed Fife Ness heading S and that was the continuation of a very impressive spell for seawatching at Fife Ness with c14 Grey Phalaropes, one Great Northern Diver N, one Black-throated Diver S, 17 Red-throated Divers, two Little Auks N, two Puffins, 47 Little Gulls, two Long-tailed Ducks N, six Common Scoters N and four Bonxies N and the next day the count was two Great Northern Divers N, 1S, one Black-throated Diver, 38 Red-throated Divers, three Grey Phalaropes, 28 Little Auks, five Puffins N, plus two on the water, one Tystie N, 67 Common Scoters N, three Velvet Scoters N, nine Long-tailed Ducks N, 1S, 21 Little Gulls, four Pintails S, two Teal S, 20 Wigeon N, seven Mallard N and one Mediterranean Gull N. Seen from Out Head were 15 Long-tailed Ducks and a Red-throated Diver and on Windmill Road, Cellardyke a Woodcock, six Goldfinches, one Coal Tit, one Sparrowhawk and 400 Pink-feet were seen. Seven Whooper Swans passed E over Dunfermline Railway Station (4th), a late Common Sandpiper, one White-tailed Eagle, three Little Egrets, one Kingfisher and a Red-throated Diver were seen from the Eden Estuary Centre and seen from Kinghorn were one Little Auk E, one Great Northern Diver W, three Red-throated Divers E, one Purple Sandpiper with five Turnstones, one Little Gull E, one Kittiwake E, c18 juvenile Gannets, 12 Long-tailed Ducks, and 10 Common Scoters. Noted passing Cellardyke were one Pomarine Skua, 21 Wigeon, 33 Curlews, seven Turnstones and 25 Redshanks and the Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness was 28 Grey Phalaropes N, 14 Little Auks N, one Puffin N, one Tystie, two Pomarine Skuas N, two Great Northern Divers S, one Black-throated Diver N, 15 Red-throated Divers, nine Little Gulls, two Velvet Scoters N, seven Common Scoters N, three Scaup N, three Wigeon N and two Red-breasted Mergansers N. Logged passing Ferry Hills (5th) were six Whooper Swans, 12 Wigeon, one Pochard, 66 Fieldfares, 205 Redwings, 64 Bramblings, 21 Lesser Redpolls and one Crossbill and seen from Cellardyke were one Great Northern Diver on the water, two Guillemots on the water, one Puffin on the water and one Little Auk E. The Seawatching Day Counts at Fife Ness continued to impress with one White-billed Diver N, six Grey Phalaropes, 833 Little Auks, one Tystie, seven Puffins, eight Great Northern Divers, one Black-throated Diver, nine Red-throated Divers, three Scaup, three Red-breasted Mergansers, eight Little Gulls, one Arctic Skua W, one Pomarine Skua S, one Manx Shearwater N, 21 Common Scoters, six Velvet Scoters, 42 Teal, 26 Wigeon, two Mallard, 11 Greylags, three Long-tailed Ducks, one Merlin in off the sea, along with one Brambling and 45 Starlings, also another Merlin passed S. A 1st calendar year male Goshawk was seen over Anstruther with a Dipper also seen on the Dreel Burn. An adult female Marsh Harrier, 21 Goosanders and 87 Goldeneye were seen off Mugdrum Island, 28 Whooper Swans, nine Mute Swans, 10 Gadwall, 86 Wigeon, seven Tufted Ducks, two Goldeneye, three Teal, 34 Mallards, nine Coots, four Moorhens, four Little Grebes and two Fieldfares were noted at Craigluscar LNR and the Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness (6th) was 554 Little Auks, one Tystie, 32 Puffins, two Little Gulls, 38 Common Scoters, four Goldeneye S, 13 Pink-feet W, six Red-throated Divers S, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers S, one Goosander S, 10 Long-tailed Ducks, two Grey Phalaropes, one Arctic Skua and three Mute Swans S and noted from Kilminning were 469 Little Auks, one Sooty Shearwater E, one Tystie, five Puffins NE, six Little Gulls, one Black Tern NE, five Common Scoters NE, four Long-tailed Ducks NE, four Grey Phalaropes, including three together and one Woodcock in off the sea, also seen not far away at Anstruther were 67 Little Auks W and further up the Forth at Kinghorn eight Little Auks, one Puffin, 75 Razorbills, four Little Gulls, one Great Northern Diver, one Black-throated Diver, one Manx Shearwater, six Long-tailed Ducks, six Purple Sandpipers and three Goldeneye were seen. Logged passing Anstruther (7th) were 157 Little Auks W, three Black-throated Divers W, nine Red-throated Divers W, one Tystie, one Velvet Scoter W and 650 Pink-feet N. The Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness was 1252 Little Auks N, 59S, 28 Red-throated Divers S, 4N, one Great Northern Diver N, 3S, 38 Common Scoters N, 6S, 25 Puffins S, 5N, plus one on the water, 13 Long-tailed Ducks N, 8S, four Red-breasted Mergansers S, 2N, two Manx Shearwaters N, two Sooty Shearwaters N, five Wigeon S, one Goldeneye N, 2S, one adult Mediterranean Gull S, 78 Little Gulls N, c24 feeding, two Bramblings in off the sea and one Peregrine and noted off Kilminning were 345 Little Auks 207 SW, 138 NE, two Puffins NE, one Great Northern Diver NE, 15 Red-throated Divers SW, two Long-tailed Ducks SW, 13 Whooper Swans SW and one Goosander SW, whilst seen from Cellardyke were six Little Auks E, 2W, one Razorbill W, one Guillemot E and one Red-throated Diver W. Two Snow Buntings, one Whooper Swan and three Greenshanks were noted at Boarhills and a Short-eared Owl was seen at St Andrews. Two Great Northern Divers passed Pathhead E (8th), seen from Kilminning were 37 Little Auks N, 24S, one Pomarine Skua N, and four Red-throated Divers S, with a Woodcock seen at the lower area and c40 Blackbirds and 12 Redwings at the upper area, 24 Little Auks S, one Great Northern Diver S, two Red-throated Divers S, one Puffin N and one Long-tailed Duck S were noted passing Fife Ness. 41 Redwings were counted at Kilmany, a single Snow Bunting was at Boarhills and at Loch Gelly 84 Pochard, 95 Tufted Ducks, 46 Goldeneye and one Water Rail were seen. Seen from Kinghorn were one Manx Shearwater, 18 Gannets, 12 Common Scoters and six Long-tailed Ducks and several sites in the East Neuk held Twite with counts of 12 at Upper Kenly Farm, 70 at Boghall Farm and 15 at Kingsbarns. There was a count of c1000 Pink-footed Geese, 20 Golden Plovers and a Kestrel at Crow Hill Farm, Anstruther and not far away at Cellardyke four Common Scoters W, five Long-tailed Ducks, four Red-throated Divers, 21 Wigeon, three Twite and one Grey Wagtail were noted passing. Seen from St Andrews were one Velvet Scoter, c40 Scaup, one Red-throated Diver, two Great Crested Grebes and 15 Purple Sandpipers and noted from the Eden Estuary Centre were one White-tailed Eagle, three Great Crested Grebes, seven Little Grebes, four Little Egrets, one Pintail, 43 Scaup, c840 Golden Plovers, 55 Black-tailed Godwits, 151 Dunlin and one Kingfisher. Watched from St David’s Harbour, Dalgety Bay were one Arctic Skua, three Kittiwakes, 10 Great-Crested Grebes, 10 Red-breasted Mergansers, seven Goldeneye, three Eiders, four Red-throated Divers, 15 Razorbills and five Guillemots and from the Sailing Club at Dalgety Bay one Peregrine SW, one Great Northern Diver and five Red-throated Divers were seen. Seven Whooper Swans, 300 Pink-footed Geese, 30 Siskins and 15 Redwings were seen at Kilmany (9th), a late Swallow was at Cellardyke and a terrific seawatch from St Andrews Pier produced one White-billed Diver W, one Grey Phalarope W, plus one on the water, one Little Auk on the water, five Great Northern Divers NW, one SE, plus three on the water, one Black-throated Diver NW plus three on the water, 11 Red-throated Divers NW, 8SE, plus 24 on the water, one Arctic Skua W, 21 Little Gulls W, two Pintail NW, 41 Scaup, 11 Long-tailed Ducks, 29 Velvet Scoters, 68 Wigeon NW, 25SE plus 32 on the water, 46 Teal NW, 13SE, 11 Goldeneye W, 6SE, plus 27 on the water, eight Purple Sandpipers, four Dunlins and one Knot. An adult Mediterranean Gull was in the Bay at Kingsbarns and in St Andrews Bay were one Black-throated Diver, four Red-throated Divers, four Great Crested Grebes, two Velvet Scoters, eight Purple Sandpipers, 13 Goldeneye and 16 Wigeon. Noted passing Fife Ness were 25 Little Auks N, 7S, one Long-tailed Duck N and one Razorbill N, a Woodcock flew over the pitch at Starks Park, Kirkcaldy, two Water Rails were in front of the hide at Kinghorn Loch (10th). 18 Common Scoters W and two Puffins were on the water off Cellardyke and logged passing Fife Ness were six Red-throated Divers S, plus one on the sea, one Puffin N, plus five on the sea, five Long-tailed Ducks S, 23 Eiders S, 6N, 12 Common Scoters N, 2S, one Teal S and one Goldeneye N. Two Mediterranean Gulls, one adult & a 2nd winter, one Kittiwake, 88 Velvet Scoters, 65 Common Scoters, 46 Long-tailed Ducks and one Slavonian Grebe were at Leven, two Red-throated Divers were off Braefoot Point and seen off Anstruther (11th) were four Little Auks W, four Ravens flew W over Winifred Crescent, Kirkcaldy and logged at Ferry Hills were 37 Red-throated Divers W inland, seven Kittiwakes W inland, 10 Goldeneye W and 22 Bramblings. 13 Grey Partridges were seen at Troustrie, Crail, a Dipper and a Goosander were seen at Inverkeithing and seen from Ruddons Point were two Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver, six Long-tailed Ducks, 22 Velvet Scoters, 30 Common Scoters, c120 Shags, one Little Auk, one Slavonian Grebe and one Purple Sandpiper. Noted from Out Head were one White-tailed Eagle, 23 Brent Geese, three Slavonian Grebes, one Great Crested Grebe, c10 Long-tailed Ducks and two Red-throated Divers. Noted passing Fife Ness were 539 Little Auks, four Little Gulls, 10 Puffins, 26 Common Scoters, 58 Red-throated Divers S, one Great Northern Diver S, three Purple Sandpipers, seven Goldeneye S, five Long-tailed Ducks S, one Red-breasted Merganser N, five Wigeon S, also three Woodcocks, 73 Fieldfares, 12 Starlings and four Redwings in off the sea. An adult female Marsh Harrier was watched at Mugdrum Island (12th), a Red-throated Diver and c40 Shags were seen off Ruddons Point, 2500 Pink-footed Geese flew SW over Ferry Hills and the next day at Ferry Hills one Taiga Bean Goose W, three Whooper Swans, 51 Red-throated Divers, one Great Northern Diver and 17 Bramblings were seen. Seen at Kingsbarns were three Great Northern Divers, seven Red-throated Divers, one Tystie, five Puffins, seven Long-tailed Ducks and 32 Purple Sandpipers. Two Black-throated Divers, two Red-throated Divers, one Sandwich Tern and a Slavonian Grebe were seen from Braefoot Terminal (13th), a White-tailed Eagle, sitting on a post, 53 Long-tailed Ducks, one Razorbill, one juvenile Gannet, 23 Red-throated Divers, four Great Crested Grebes, 15 Slavonian Grebes, 16 Little Gulls, 106 Shelducks, a Greenshank and a Goosander were noted from Out Head, 19 Little Auks N, 2S, nine Puffins, one Great Northern Diver N, eight Red-throated Divers and nine Little Gulls S passed Fife Ness and counted in St Andrews Bay were four Great Northern Divers, 12 Red-throated Divers, two Great Crested Grebes, seven Puffins, one Long-tailed Duck, seven Velvet Scoters and a Scaup. In Kirkcaldy (14th), two single Ring-necked Parakeets were seen at two different locations, a Snow Bunting was seen near The Stinky Pool at Fife Ness, a Taiga Bean Goose was seen heading WSW over St Andrews and counted from the Eden Estuary Centre were 101 Scaup, two Greenshanks, 42 Black-tailed Godwits, three Little Egrets, 163 Teal, one Kingfisher, 20 Goldeneye and a Red-throated Diver. Seen from Kinshaldy were two Red-throated Divers, 16 Slavonian Grebes, 11 Long-tailed Ducks, six Velvet Scoters and 50 Little Gulls, a count on Cocklemill Marsh produced four Jack Snipe and 26 Snipe and nearby at Ruddons Point one Black-throated Diver, four Red-throated Divers and three Slavonian Grebes were seen with two Puffins also seen from nearby Kincraig Point. A redhead Smew was at Cameron Reservoir, along with one Scaup, one Merlin and two Crossbills, 11 Little Auks, seven Red-throated Divers, one Velvet Scoter, eight Common Scoters, two Puffins, six Shelducks and a Grey Wagtail and two Swallows were seen at Fife Ness. At Anstruther (15th) were c500 Pink-feet in grass fields opposite the old police station and an adult Mediterranean Gull and seven Purple Sandpipers were seen on rocks below the Golf Club. Two Snow Buntings were at Out Head and three coveys of Grey Partridges, numbering six, 18 and 12 were seen from Windmill Road, Cellardyke. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were in a gull flock feeding on the football pitches at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy (16th), a male Brambling was noted at Kilmany and one Snow Bunting, two Stonechats, and three Red-throated Divers were seen at Out Head. Counted from the Eden Estuary Centre were 93 Scaup, 27 Brent Geese, c500 Pink-feet, c600 Golden Plovers, six Little Egrets, two Little Grebes, four Goldeneye, one Buzzard, c50 Wigeon and 50 Teal, two late Swallows were also seen at Leuchars. A mixed flock of c50 Redwings and Fieldfares were watched on Auchtermuchty Common and an interesting observation came from Anstruther Harbour when 15-20 Rock Pipits were seen roosting inside stacks of lobster creels. An adult White-tailed Eagle, one Scaup, c10 Long-tailed Ducks, five Slavonian Grebes, eight Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver, c30 Grey Plovers and c30 Sanderlings were seen at Out Head (17th), two Great Northern Divers flew W at Ferry Hills, one Great Northern Diver N and several Siskin flocks in off the sea were seen at Fife Ness and a Mediterranean Gull was still present at Kingsbarns, noted at Cornceres Farm, Kilrenny, was an immature male Merlin seen to take a Goldfinch from a patch of Sunflowers. A very late Common Sandpiper, 17 Brent Geese, four Little Egrets and c80 Scaup were counted from the Eden Estuary Centre and seen there (18th) were c600 Pink-feet, c100 Scaup, two Red-throated Divers, two Black-throated Divers, two Great Crested Grebes, six Little Grebes, nine Little Egrets, 36 Black-tailed Godwits, one Guillemot and a Sparrowhawk, with 90 Scaup, one juvenile Gannet, two Red-throated Divers and four Little Egrets seen there (19th). Noted from St Andrews Pier were one Tystie NW and one Great Northern Diver S and counted passing Fife Ness (20th) were 708 Little Auks S, 30 Puffins, 10 Common Scoters, three Velvet Scoters, one Long-tailed Duck and 12 Red-throated Divers. Also a Snow Bunting came in off the sea there. One Snow Bunting was still at Out Head and seen at Cocklemill Burn were one Merlin, one Jack Snipe, 22 Snipe and eight Herons. c500 Pink-feet were on a winter crop behind the new Waid school at Anstruther and noted passing over St Monans was an adult Whooper Swan which came over inland from the south, before heading N. At Drumcarrow Farm, St Andrews (21st) a Jack Snipe was a good find, one Woodcock, three pairs of Bullfinches, 15 Goldfinches, two Blackbirds and 15 Grey Partridges were seen on Windmill Road, Cellardyke and noted at Tentsmuir were two Red-throated Divers, 105 Common Scoters, four Velvet Scoters, four Long-tailed Ducks, nine Slavonian Grebes, 15 Whooper Swans W, 62 Red-breasted Mergansers, 860 Eiders, 10 Little Auks N, three Little Egrets, one Greenshank and 10 Snow Buntings. The Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness was 14 Grey Phalaropes, 106 Little Auks N, 6S, 16 Puffins N, one Sooty Shearwater N, two Great Northern Divers N, one Black-throated Diver N, four Red-throated Divers N, 7S, four Long-tailed Ducks N, 19 Common Scoters and two Velvet Scoters N and seen off Braefoot Terminal were three Red-throated Divers and a Black-throated Diver. Counted passing Fife Ness (22nd) were 23 Common Scoters, 11 Long-tailed Ducks, two Goldeneyes, four Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver S, five Puffins and 12 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks, at Lochore Meadows CP three Water Rails, 150 Pink-feet were in the field by the car park and eight Whooper Swans went over NE and up to eight Lesser Redpolls were noted in Newburgh. 18 Snow Buntings were N of the car park at Kinshaldy (24th), with up to 11 Slavonian Grebes seen offshore, not far away at the lagoon at Tentsmuir Point NNR were four Little Egrets and a Greenshank. Counted at Boarhills were 11 Twite and five Corn Buntings, 25 Long-tailed Ducks were off Kinghorn and seen from the Eden Estuary Centre were 80 Scaup, seven Little Egrets and one Greenshank. Seen off Braefoot Point (25th) were one Great Northern Diver W, one Red-throated Diver, one Great Crested Grebe, two Goosanders and two Goldeneyes. Noted at the Eden Estuary Centre were nine Little Egrets, one White-tailed Eagle, one Kingfisher, one Treecreeper, 92 Scaup, c500 Redshanks, one Greenshank, 85 Black-tailed Godwits and 23 Golden Plovers, whilst in Kirkcaldy Harbour (26th) were one Red-throated Diver in the inner harbour along with 38 Mallards and 13 Shags. Not far away at Pathhead one male Blackcap, one female Stonechat and three Goosanders were noted and seen from Fife Ness were five Puffins and three Red-throated Divers. A Red-throated Diver and six Shags were off Braefoot Point (26th) and a seawatch at Kinghorn (27th) produced a possible Brünnich’s Guillemot, which flew in landed on the water but not seen again in the swell. Also noted were two Little Auks, 25 Long-tailed Ducks and 620 Shags. One Red-necked Grebe, one Great Northern Diver and c6 Red-throated Divers were at Burntisland, a Sparrowhawk, nine Whooper Swans, one female Scaup and two Ravens were seen at Cameron Reservoir and noted in Kirkcaldy Harbour were a Kingfisher and a Common Scoter. Counted in Largo Bay were seven Slavonian Grebes, 222 Velvet Scoters, 21 Common Scoters, one Black-throated Diver, one Red-throated Diver, two Guillemots, two Red-breasted Mergansers, two Long-tailed Ducks, one Tufted Duck, three Gannets and one Great Crested Grebe and at nearby Kilconquhar Loch were 175 Goldeneye, one female Scaup, 31 Tufted Ducks, six Little Grebes, one drake Pochard, one Lesser Black-backed Gull, 18 Herring Gulls and three Great Black-backed Gulls. Seen from Braefoot Terminal were one Black-throated Diver, one Great Crested Grebe and six Red-breasted Mergansers. The Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness was 53 Little Auks, 26 Long-tailed Ducks N, 89 Common Scoters N, 22 Red-throated Divers N, four Goldeneye N, four Puffins, three Red-breasted Mergansers N and an Iceland Gull, a Storm Petrel W, one Tystie E and nine Little Auks E were seen from Crail and noted from Dysart (28th) were two Little Auks, one Tystie East, two adult Mediterranean Gulls, three Red-throated Divers, 74 Common Scoters E, 14 Long-tailed Ducks, two Pale-bellied Brent Geese W and c240 Shags E. Seen from Newburgh were five Scaup, 170 Goldeneye and 180 Wigeon, 14 Scaup, 18 Velvet Scoters, c200 Common Scoters, three Shags, 36 Eiders and a Grey Wagtail were seen in St Andrews Bay and a male Merlin was on the edge of Auchtermuchty. The excellent seawatching spell continued at Fife Ness with a count of one adult White-billed Diver S, 14 Great Northern Divers N, 3S, three Black-throated Divers N, 45 Red-throated Divers, one possible Brünnich’s Guillemot N, 69 Little Auks N, 14S, two Tysties, two Grey Phalaropes N, 48 Long-tailed Ducks N, 9S, five Velvet Scoters N, 40 Common Scoters, two Little Gulls N, one Great Crested Grebe N, 55 Pink-footed Geese, five Teal, one Goosander and 17 Purple Sandpipers A seawatch between Fife Ness and Crail produced five Great Northern Divers, one Black-throated Diver, seven Red-throated Divers, two Puffins and a Little Auk. Seen from Braefoot Terminal were one Black-throated Diver, two Red-throated Divers, two Grey Herons and two Ravens. The Seawatching Count from Fife Ness (29th) was two Manx Shearwaters N, 66 Puffins N, 54 Little Auks N, 10 Long-tailed Ducks, 51 Common Scoters, three Great Northern Diver S, one N, 20 Red Throated Divers, one Goldeneye and one Red-breasted Merganser.

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware

Two juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Bar-tailed Godwit, two Whimbrel and a Wheatear were seen on Balcomie beach (1st), a Dipper was noted on the Keith Burn, Inverkeithing, 78 Red-breasted Mergansers were just out from the river mouth at Leven and counted from the Eden Estuary Centre were 135 Dunlins, three Greenshanks, five Black-tailed Godwits, three Bar-tailed Godwits, one Kingfisher and an adult White-tailed Eagle. Watched from Out Head (2nd) were c50 immature Gannets and two Red-throated Divers and the Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness was 78 Red-throated Divers S, 36 Common Scoters S, two Velvet Scoters S, one Manx Shearwater S, 3N, 14 Sooty Shearwaters N, one Balearic Shearwater N, seven Arctic Skuas N, one Bonxie S, 2N, 89 Little Gulls, three Sandwich Terns S, six Goosanders S and c1500 Razorbills N. A Merlin and c300 Golden Plovers were noted at Anstruther and a single juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was in with a flock of Dunlins at the Eden Estuary, with a single Curlew Sandpiper at Balcomie Beach, where a Whimbrel and a Wheatear were also present, also a Merlin flew past heading towards Fife Ness. Noted at Ferry Hills were 47 Red-throated Divers, one Arctic Skua, one Jay, 42 Skylarks, 38 Swallows, 384 Meadow Pipits, 35 Lesser Redpolls, one Crossbill, 69 Siskins and 15 Reed Buntings. In ‘The Patch’ at Fife Ness was a lone Chiffchaff, whilst four Bramblings and one Redwing were seen at nearby Kilminning, 10 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Tayport and seen from Crail were two Sooty Shearwaters E, two Arctic Skuas E, one Manx Shearwater E, one Pomarine Skua E, 200 Razorbills E, seven Common Scoters E and three Red-throated Divers W. A seawatch at Kinghorn produced two juvenile Long-tailed Skuas, one Black Tern, one juvenile Arctic Tern, six Arctic Skuas, seven Bonxies, five Little Gulls and 120 Kittiwakes and the Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness (3rd) was 39 Red-throated Divers S, four Velvet Scoters S, 14 Common Scoters, one Wigeon S, 122 Little Gulls S, 154 Sandwich Terns S and one Arctic Skua N. One juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was still present on Balcomie Beach and logged at Ferry Hills were one juvenile Long-tailed Skua, which flew inland with an Arctic Skua, two Bonxies, 11 Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver, 42 House Martins and a steady passage of pipits and finches. A solitary Wheatear was seen at Craigmead in the Lomond Hills, the flock of 10 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were still on show at Tayport and a single juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was noted from the Eden Estuary Centre. At Strathkinness (4th) a Chiffchaff was heard calling, the count at Ferry Hills was three Whooper Swans, 22 Red-throated Divers, one Arctic Skua, two Jays, 96 Swallows, 24 House Martins, 362 Meadow Pipits, one Tree Pipit, 126 Chaffinches, one Brambling, 28 Lesser Redpolls, two Crossbills and 65 Siskins and seen at Kilminning were one Blackcap, one Chiffchaff, one Goldcrest, one Brambling, one Mistle Thrush, six Blackbirds, three Song Thrushes, 80 Greenfinches and 40 Linnets. An adult White-tailed Eagle was seen at Arncroach (5th) and logged at Ferry Hills were 947 Pink-feet, 34 Red-throated Divers, 120 Kittiwakes, three Bonxies and one Arctic Skua and the Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness was 19 Red-throated Divers S, 1N, one Black-throated Diver N, 50 Common Scoters N, two Little Gulls S, one Golden Plover N, eight Wigeon N, one Scaup N, three Red-breasted Mergansers 3N and nine Turnstones N. Seen from Kinghorn were 55 Little Gulls and one Bonxie, 200 Golden Plovers were seen near Kilrenny and at Inzievar a Nuthatch was a good find after being absent from that site for a few years. Six Little Gulls, two Red-throated Divers, seven Gannets, five Sandwich Terns, two Common Terns, 52 Pink-footed Geese S, 15 Wigeon W and one Great Crested Grebe were seen from St David’s Harbour (6th) and not far away at Ferry Hills seven Taiga Bean Geese, 1798 Pink-feet, three Bonxies, one female/juvenile Merlin, two Bramblings and 36 Tree Sparrows were logged. A Brambling, five Blackcaps, four Chiffchaffs, three Song Thrushes, three Lesser Redpolls, two Redwings, six Goldcrests, one Wheatear and 20 Whooper Swans passing over, were seen at Kilminning, three Wheatears were at West Sands, St Andrews and seen from Fife Ness were four Red-throated Divers S, 12 Common Scoters N, 22 Kittiwakes S, with also a small flock of Bramblings watched coming in off the sea. Seen from Cellardyke were one Red-throated Diver W, 37 Common Scoters E and one Grey Wagtail W and at Balcomie Beach (7th), the juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was still present, noted nearby at Fife Ness were two Red-throated Divers off the point, also 1N and 2S, 47 Eiders N, 1S, seven Common Scoters N, four Velvet Scoters S and one Sandwich Tern N and counted at the Eden Estuary Centre were 39 Pink-footed Geese, one Red-throated Diver, one Great Crested Grebe, four Little Grebes, seven Pintail, 30 Mallards, 35 Wigeon, 25 Teal, 18 Scaup, one Goldeneye, one Tufted Duck, one Red-breasted Merganser, 30 Goosanders, four Little Egrets, 350 Redshanks, one Greenshank, 225 Golden Plovers, one Knot, one Bar-tailed Godwit and one Black-tailed Godwit.

An immature Marsh Harrier was watched at Newburgh (8th) and seen from the Eden Estuary Centre were one juvenile Spotted Redshank, one Common Sandpiper, 10 Little Egrets and two Grey Plovers. An adult Mediterranean Gull, minus itsleft foot, was seen at Buckhaven, 19 Scaup, one Velvet Scoter, one Great Crested Grebe, four Red-throated Divers, c200 Little Gulls, one Purple Sandpiper and a Peregrine were seen in St Andrews Bay. Seen at Kilminning (9th) were a Red Kite flying towards Fife Ness, one female/juvenile Merlin, four Jays, 15 Song Thrushes, six Redwings, four Blackcaps, two Goosanders flew over, c200 Golden Plovers, 36 Wigeon and 11 Red-throated Divers W. At Craigtoun Park 14, presumed, Taiga Bean Geese were seen flying over W, the juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was alongside a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Greenshank on ‘The Stinky Pool’, at Fife Ness and a Leucistic Herring Gull, a Mediterranean Gull and a Little Gull were seen from the road past the Airfield at Crail. A Great White Egret was seen from the viewing screen at Cullaloe LNR, a Tystie was offshore at Out Head and a Short-eared Owl flew S there also. Another Tystie was seen from the beach car park at Kingsbarns and noted at Ferry Hills (10th) were a juvenile Red Kite which flew NW across the Forth from Lothian. Also seen there were 24 Tree Sparrows, 145 Skylarks, 314 Meadow Pipits, three Bramblings, two Crossbills, 90 Siskins and 55 Lesser Redpolls. A very vocal Ring-necked Parakeet was seen in Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy, offshore from Kincraig a Great Northern Diver was seen, whilst an adult and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull flew E. Also seen were a Raven, a Peregrine, three Stonechats, four Chiffchaffs, 187 Skylarks W, two Bramblings W and a juvenile Goshawk was seen over the woods at the car park. Also seen there were a pair of Kestrels and a Merlin, which came over the headland and was then lost to view heading S. 10 Meadow Pipits, eight Skylarks and 10 Ravens were seen in the Lomond Hills, two Barnacle Geese and 250 Pink-footed Geese were seen just N of Craigluscar Reservoir and noted from the Leisure Centre in St Andrews were three Bramblings S, 68 House Martins and 28 Swallows S, two White Wagtails, 35 Skylarks S, 18 Meadow Pipits S and one Chiffchaff. Two Great White Egrets were present at Moor Loch, a Peregrine was watched eating one of the drake Shovelers at Letham Pools (11th) and a Hawfinch and 25 Barnacle Geese were seen at Ferry Hills. 350 Pink-footed Geese and a Barnacle Goose were seen at the Bow of Fife and the Great White Egret count was down to one at Moor Loch. Counted at the Eden Estuary LNR were 350 Pink-footed Geese overhead flying W, c120 Lapwings, c200 Golden Plovers, six Greenshanks, six Little Egrets and two Kingfishers. 18 Barnacle Geese flew W at Fife Ness, the Curlew Sandpiper was still present on Balcomie Beach and from Dalgety Bay three adult Mediterranean Gulls, one Manx Shearwater, one Bonxie and one Arctic Tern were seen. Along at Burntisland a Great Northern Diver, two Guillemots and eight dead Guillemots were all seen in the Harbour. Noted at Kilminning (12th) were 1500 Barnacle Geese W, 150 Redwings, 40 Song Thrushes and two Snipe with c200 Barnacle Geese seen flying SW over Kirkcaldy also, c500 Pink-feet flew S, c500 Barnacle Geese and also one Whooper Swan, were all seen from the Eden Estuary Centre. 860 Barnacle Geese flew S over St Andrews and noted at Fife Ness were 4166 Barnacle Geese (the day’s total), 260 Pink-footed Geese, one Balearic Shearwater N, five Sooty Shearwaters N, three Manx Shearwaters N, three Arctic Skuas N, one Bonxie N, c85 Little Gulls, 16 Wigeon, two Teal, 13 Red-throated Divers, two Puffins, nine Scaup S, 3N, eight Teal N, c35 Common Scoters, c1000 Barnacle Geese S, c50 Pink-footed Geese S and one Whimbrel, with two Jack Snipe, two Snipe, 200 Redwings, 40 Song Thrushes, one Mistle Thrush, five Chiffchaffs, six Goldcrests, one Wheatear, three Grey Wagtails, 500 Golden Plovers and 11 Grey Partridges also seen in the area. Close by, the juvenile Curlew Sandpiper still present at Balcomie Beach, three Red-throated Divers were seen from St David’s Harbour and there was a fine sight of three Cranes flying over The Wilderness, heading towards the Lomond Hills. A Short-eared Owl was seen at Kilminning, with 225 Barnacle Geese counted passing W in three flocks. An interesting Lesser Whitethroat was seen briefly at Fairmont, St Andrews, with one Ring Ouzel, 10 Redwings, two Bramblings, one Chiffchaff, two Greenshanks and 120 Barnacle Geese SE all noted there too. A probable Olive-backed Pipit flew over Ferry Hills (13th), with 98 Barnacle Geese, nine Goldeneye and four Crossbills counted there also. The interesting Lesser Whitethroat at Fairmont, St Andrews was seen again, with a Brambling, four Goldcrests, 12 Redwings, seven Greenshanks, five Whooper Swans NW, one Ring Ouzel, one Blackcap, four Chiffchaffs, three Song Thrushes, seven Brent Geese S and 20 Barnacle Geese S seen. Also, a Hobby flew low over Fairmont clubhouse, then flew SE. One Great White Egret was still in the NE corner at Moor Loch and also present were 40 Canada Geese. Three Chiffchaffs and a Brambling were seen at Kilminning and counted passing Fife Ness were one Sooty Shearwater N, two Merlins, 77 Barnacle Geese S, 195 Pink-footed Geese S, 21 Common Scoters, eight Red-throated Divers S, two Wigeon N, one Whimbrel, two Puffins S, 36 Guillemots N, one Razorbill N, six Kittiwakes N, two Red-breasted Mergansers N and two Great Northern Divers S. At Letham Pools 11 Whooper Swans were present before being chased off by an aggressive Mute Swan family. Also, one Jack Snipe was in the SE corner. Seen from the Eden Estuary Centre (14th) were one juvenile Common Tern, 500 Barnacle Geese, 1500 Pink-footed Geese, six Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 45 Scaup, 14 Goosanders, 160 Wigeon, eight Greenshanks, c500 Redshanks, 30 Black-tailed Godwits, one Ruff, 270 Golden Plovers, 400 Lapwings, one Peregrine, one Buzzard and one Whooper Swan.

The Great White Egret was still in the NW corner of Moor Loch (15th), 34 Scaup, 26 Barnacle Geese, 23 Black-tailed Godwits, one Whooper Swan, five Little Egrets, five Greenshanks and c50 Wigeon were seen from the Eden Estuary Centre and the first report of a Yellow-browed Warbler this autumn came from St Andrews. Two Taiga Bean Geese W, 953 Pink-feet, 38 Whooper Swans, one Arctic Skua, 21 Lesser Redpolls, seven Crossbills and 60 Siskins were logged at Ferry Hills and near Kirkcaldy at Shawsmill a 1st calendar year White-tailed Eagle was being mobbed by four Buzzards. 150 Barnacle Geese were in a grass field near the Fife Bird Club hide at the Eden Estuary, six Redshanks, three Buzzards and a Sparrowhawk were also seen. 12 Whooper Swans were on Loch Fitty, six Red-throated Divers were present at Dalgety Bay and seen at Cameron Reservoir were one Merlin, one Peregrine, seven Whooper Swans, eight Greylags, one Jay, one Snipe and c1000 Pink-feet were feeding in fields to the SW. The Seawatching Day Count from Fife Ness was two Sooty Shearwaters N, five Manx Shearwaters N, one Bonxie S, one adult Pomarine Skua N, five Arctic Skuas S, 269 Barnacle Geese, 287 Pink-feet, one Taiga Bean Goose S, five Whooper Swans S, three Great Northern Divers S, nine Red-throated Divers S, 3N, 26 Common Scoters N, one Velvet Scoter S, eight Wigeon N, 3S, two Teal N, two Red-breastedMergansers N, 332 Little Gulls, one Common Tern N, two Purple Sandpipers N and 178 Common Gulls S, 18N. Two Taiga Bean Geese passed SW over St Andrews (16th), two Spoonbills were a good find on the Eden Estuary, where c2000 Pink-footed Geese, 145 Barnacle Geese, eight Little Egrets, one Whooper Swan, four Goldeneye, 38 Scaup, 20 Goosanders, 20 Red-breasted Mergansers, one Great Crested Grebe, one Red-throated Diver, c400 Golden Plovers, one Greenshank, 21 Black-tailed Godwits and three Bar-tailed Godwits were counted. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were in the gull flock on Park Road, Rosyth and two late House Martins passed over Dunfermline heading N. At Kippo Farm near Kingsbarns, a female Merlin, a pair of Ravens and 18 Corn Buntings were noted, c100 Redwings, Blackbirds and Song Thrushes and a Chiffchaff came in with the rain at Kilminning and counted from nearby Fife Ness (17th) were one Common Sandpiper, two Black-throated Divers S, one adult Mediterranean Gull S, one Arctic Skua S. Four Little Gulls S, c10 Red-throated Divers, seven Teal N, eight Wigeon S, two Goldeneye N, 10 Common Scoters N and four Barnacle Geese S. A ringtail Hen Harrier was watched at Cameron Reservoir, at least three Bramblings were in with a Chaffinch flock at New Gilston, 900 Redwings were counted at lower Kilminning with two Bramblings and a further 650 Redwings counted at upper Kilminning, noted in Kittock’s Den were one Ring Ouzel, two Fieldfares, c240 Redwings, two Bramblings, one Blackcap, two Twite, two Ravens and one Jack Snipe and 18 Snipe were also in a field to the SE of the Den. At Kilminning (18th) c300 Redwings, two Ring Ouzels, c4 Bramblings, two Fieldfares and five Mistle Thrushes were seen at the upper area, with a Lapland Bunting and five Whooper Swans passing over the lower area. An astonishing count of 19000 Redwings was made at Ferry Hills, with 4600 Redwings passing over SW at Kilmany, also a Raven there. Counted at Fife Ness were four Long-tailed Ducks S, two Bonxies N, 11 Velvet Scoters, five Common Scoters N, nine Red-throated Divers S, 4N, 92 Little Gulls, c50 Kittiwakes N, one Manx Shearwater N, three Ringed Plovers S and two Goosanders S. An immature Hobby was watched hunting over sea, catching incoming passerines and a Sparrowhawk came in off the sea. Watched passing over Bogward Road, St Andrews were a Ring Ouzel and two Taiga Bean Geese W, three Little Gulls and six Arctic Terns were seen at Dalgety Bay and at Kilminning (19th) a Dusky Warbler was a great find, showing and calling well, also there were a Jack Snipe and two Bramblings. Seen at Dalgety Bay were three Little Gulls, 12 Arctic Terns and a juvenile Pomarine Skua, the Dusky Warbler was still calling and giving brief views at Kilminning (20th), a Red Kite passed W over Burntisland, an adult Mediterranean Gull was amongst Black-headed Gulls at Cambo and four Little Gulls were seen from Anstruther. A single Little Gull was seen from Cellardyke and counted at Out Head were two Red-throated Divers, one Arctic Skua, 10 Common Scoters and a Stonechat, an adult Mediterranean Gull was on Balcomie Beach and at Letham Pools 31 Whooper Swans, including five juveniles, were counted with four more adults noted passing over S. At Kilminning (21st) the Dusky Warbler was showing very well, with four Bramblings, a Stonechat, a male Blackcap and a Goldcrest also present, four Red-throated Divers were off Braefoot Point, with 264 Curlews nearby at Barns Farm. The Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness was one Great Northern Diver N, 2S, one Black-throated Diver S, 17 Red-throated Divers, one Sooty Shearwater N, one Manx Shearwater, one Puffin, one Bonxie S, one Arctic Skua S, one adult Pomarine Skua N, 135 Little Gulls S, 168 Eider S, 28 Common Scoters N, 5S, one Velvet Scoter S, 18 Long-tailed Ducks S, 9N, one Goldeneye N, two Mallard N, five Wigeon N, 319 Common Gulls S, three Mediterranean Gulls S, five Greylags N and one female Merlin.

 At Letham Pools the count of 46 Whooper Swans included 10 juveniles, a Red Kite and a Raven both drifted over Auchtermuchty (22nd), the Dusky Warbler was still present at Kilminning, with a Jack Snipe also noted there, the Fife Ness Seawatching Day Count was three Sooty Shearwaters N, three Manx Shearwaters N, two Bonxies N, three Arctic Skuas N, one Great Northern Diver N, one Black Throated Diver S, 12 Red-throated Divers, 41 Little Auks N, 1S, one Tystie S, one Puffin, 36 Little Gulls, five Grey Phalaropes on the water, then N, a county record count, 26 Common Scoters, three Velvet Scoters N, 2S, five Wigeon N, 36 Long-tailed Ducks N, 23S, one Goldeneye N, one Greylag Goose S, 33 Pink-feet S and two Mallard N. Two adult Pomarine Skuas, five Little Gulls were seen lingering over the Forth from Ferry Hills, four Whooper Swans passed over Dunfermline heading W, with a further seven seen heading N over North Queensferry. 13 Whooper Swans, 63 Goldeneye, four Tufted Ducks, eight Goosanders and a Marsh Harrier were noted at Newburgh, the count of Whooper Swans at Letham Pools rose to 86 and seen off Pathhead were a Black-throated Diver and five Long-tailed Ducks. Six Little Gulls W and four Red-throated Divers were seen off Braefoot Point and at Fife Ness (23rd) the Seawatching Day Count was one White-billed Diver N, five Great Northern Divers S, 1N, 27 Red-throated Divers, 74 Little Auks N, 1S, one Puffin, two Pomarine Skuas N, three Arctic Skuas, two Bonxies, c40 Little Gulls, three Velvet Scoters S, 1N, 112 Common Scoters N 3S, five Goldeneye S, two Manx Shearwaters N, three Whooper Swans N and 300 Pink-feet W, c23 Little Auks passed Anstruther and seen from St David’s Harbour were seven Little Gulls, six Arctic Terns, five Red-throated Divers, 21 Gannets, two Goldeneye, 28 Razorbills and 13 Guillemots. Four Brent Geese, seven Scaup, nine Long-tailed Ducks, c10 Red-throated Divers, one Black-throated Diver, three Slavonian Grebes, two Great Crested Grebes, 85 Grey Plovers and two Little Egrets were seen at Out Head, at Kilminning a Woodcock was flushed and seen passing over Bogward Road, St Andrews were one Hawfinch S calling, one Snow Bunting S, 16 Bramblings S, 9E, one Chiffchaff, seven Lesser Redpolls S, 52 Siskins S, 85 Skylarks S, five Meadow Pipits S, 103 Redwings S, 84 W, 29 Fieldfares S and 27 Song Thrushes. Counted from Cellardyke were six Eider E, three Little Auks E, one Manx Shearwater E and 15 Common Scoters W, 9E and c35 Scaup were seen off St Andrews. Watched passing Kinghorn were six Little Gulls, eight Red-throated Divers W, 18 Common Scoters W, 11 Long-tailed Ducks, two Mediterranean Gulls W, one Arctic Skua W and one Sandwich Tern and the Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness (24th) was three Grey Phalaropes, 51 Little Auks, one Sooty Shearwater N, three Manx Shearwaters, three Arctic Skuas, 52 Common Scoters N, two Long-tailed Ducks, 21 Wigeon S, seven Red-throated Divers N, five Goldeneye S and three Puffins N, c5 Little Gulls were off Kinghorn and seen from Fairmont, St Andrews were one White-billed Diver W, one Grey Phalarope W, 63 Little Gulls W, 52E, one Arctic Skua E, one Bonxie W, two Manx Shearwater E, four Great Northern Divers, two Black-throated Divers, 27 Red-throated Divers, one Great Crested Grebe W, 10 Long-tailed Ducks, five Goosander E, four Goldeneye W, 19 Wigeon NW, six Teal W, two Velvet Scoter NW, 320 Common Scoters and 173 Pink-footed Geese. Also, four Greenshanks were on the shore. Two Snow Buntings were on Kingsbarns Beach, a Bar-tailed Godwit, seven Greenshanks, one hybrid Hooded Crow, one Knot, one Guillemot, one Peregrine and 27 Ringed Plovers were counted at Newmills Bay and noted passing Ferry Hills (25th) were one Great Northern Diver, six Red-throated Divers, four Arctic Terns, also eight Bramblings. Seen at Kingsbarns Beach were 16 Twite, with a ringtail Hen Harrier and a Wheatear also noted there, a Barn Owl flew over at Rosyth Halt and counted passing Fife Ness were two Red-throated Divers, 19 Common Scoters, one Razorbill N and 175 Pink-feet N. Six Whooper Swans were at Kilmany (26th), a Brambling and 25 Redwings were at Kilminning and counted from the Eden Estuary Centre were c500 Golden Plovers, six Little Egrets, at least one White-tailed Eagle, c30 Dunlins and 12 Black-tailed Godwits, a Spotted Redshank, 18 Grey Plovers, 24 Knot and 72 Pintail were seen in Balgove Bay and counted off St Andrews were c100 Common Scoters, three Velvet Scoters, six Great Crested Grebes, one Slavonian Grebe, two Red-throated Divers and c20 Eiders. The Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness was one Grey Phalarope, six Little Auks, 17 Guillemot N, 5S, one Razorbill N and three Kittiwakes N, 1S, one Long-tailed Duck S, two Puffins, seven Common Scoters N, 2S, six Velvet Scoters S, five Red-throated Divers, four Little Auks N, 1S, two Little Gulls N, one Goldeneye S, one adult Mediterranean Gull was lingering offshore, one Pomarine Skua N and one Merlin S. Two Snow Buntings and a Wheatear were at Kingsbarns, a Common Tern W, a Red-throated Diver and six Siskins low W were noted at Burntisland (27th). 15 Whooper Swans passed W over Cupar and seen from the Eden Estuary Centre were a Little Egret, c1000 Golden Plovers, 40 Scaup, 250 Lapwings, 30 Barnacle Geese and 250 Pink-feet, the Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness was one Pomarine Skua N, one Mediterranean Gull, three Little Gulls, one Long-tailed Duck S, six Velvet Scoters S, one Goldeneye S, nine Common Scoters, two Puffins, four Little Auks N, 1S and a Merlin. Six Little Gulls and eight Arctic Terns were seen off Dalgety Bay (28th), with the count at Fife Ness being three Common Scoters S, 2N, six Long-tailed Ducks N, 1S, five Red-throated Divers S, one Great Northern Diver off the point, four Pale-bellied Brent Geese N, one Tystie S, two Little Auks S, 77 Fulmars S, four Little Gulls S and two Purple Sandpipers.

Three Little Gulls were off Braefoot Point (29th), 12 Little Gulls, one Red-throated Diver W, 12 Common Scoters, two Long-tailed Ducks, 16 Wigeon and 20 Gannets were seen from Kinghorn (30th), at Ferry Hills two Little Egrets flew W, also one Little Gull, five Arctic Terns and one Arctic Skua over the Forth were seen, three Woodcocks were seen in ‘The Patch’ at Fife Ness and an adult Mediterranean Gull was seen at West Wemyss. A Swallow was seen in Kirkcaldy and seen from Kinghorn were one Bonxie W, one 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull W, c4 Little Gulls W, 31 Kittiwakes W, one Goldeneye W and c20 Gannets. The Seawatching Day Count at Fife Ness was 26 Little Auks, one Tystie, one Pomarine Skua, two Bonxies, one Arctic Skua, 42 Common Scoters, six Long-tailed Ducks, 22 Wigeon, 42 Teal, one Great Northern Diver, six Red-throated Divers, three Little Gulls, one Manx Shearwater, 15 Redwings and 205 Starlings in off the sea, a Swallow, five Scaup, five Gadwall and c150 Teal were at Loch Gelly and seen from Dalgety Bay were five Little Gulls, one Mediterranean Gull W, three Arctic Terns and one Arctic Skua. c30 Fieldfares were in a stubble field at Kilmany, two Woodcocks, one Brambling, one Chiffchaff, eight Redwings, one Song Thrush and c20 Blackbirds were seen at Fairmont, St Andrews and counted from Fife Ness (31st) were one Tystie S, one Little Auk N, 1S, 73 Eider S, one Bonxie, one Great Northern Diver S, five Red-throated Divers, one Little Gull N, 3S one Red-breasted Merganser S, 12 Common Scoters, two Teal S, six Long-tailed Ducks S, four Eider N, 24S. Noted at Pathhead were one Great Northern Diver W, one Bonxie and an adult Mediterranean Gull off Ravenscraig. Also 13 Siskins over, 42 Redwings, three Long-tailed Ducks, four Velvet Scoters and 14 Magpies were at Pathhead, a new site record. 57 Curlews were counted at Guardbridge, two Great Northern Divers, seven Red-throated Divers, 80 Kittiwakes, one Little Gull, one Swallow and six Bramblings were seen at Ferry Hills and seen from Kinghorn were two Bonxies, 18 Little Gulls, two Long-tailed Ducks and four Common Scoters.

Information supplied courtesy of Malcolm Ware