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