Seafield to Kinghorn (7 Viewers)

[Gander]

I returned to the loch this morning. Species count was low, however, there are signs of spring, with birds declaring their possession of territories in song. Quite a few Song Thrush in full voice, and a Greenfinch rasping away. Highlight though was seven Pochard out on the water.

At Seafield, it was pretty subdued. A few winter casualties along the path, with 2 Guillemot, 2 Razorbill, 1 Common Gull and a juv Herring Gull found dead.

 

[Gander]

I had a good wander along Seafield a few days ago, but found nothing new to report. I made friends with a Robin up at the benches, by sharing a few oat crumbs with him.
Yesterday, the first returning summer birds were spotted out on the loch, with LBBGs being evident. Must have been a sizeable influx, as I also saw some in Kirkcaldy. Sadly, there were no wintering duck left on the loch yesterday. The presence of paddle boarders, a 2 man canoe and the return of the carp anglers (complete with motorised fibre-glass boat), was probably the cause of that.
I headed up to the Rodan Braes ruins, finding a flock of Redwing in the adjacent pasture. Apart from that, not much out of the ordinary was evident.

 

[Gander]

Prior to this morning, and since my last report, I had made a trip to both Seafield and the loch, but with little to report. Both areas are taking a hammering from high footfall, so birds are scarce, even considering the time of year.

This morning, I headed back to the loch for a couple of hours, and there are just a few signs that things are on the point of change. A few wintering duck were evident, with both Tufted and Goldeneye still present. A couple of Great Crested Grebes though were new arrivals for the year.

I should also mention our Mute Swan population at this point. The female tagged LYU spent most of the winter on the loch. She left for a while last year, but returned with some of the brood she raised in 2020. The male was not with her though. About two weeks ago, when I first got back to the loch, there were a pair of untagged adult Mute on the water, along with 5 juveniles. There was also another single adult at distance, that I took to be LYU. Since then, there has been no sign of LYU, while the new pair remain with the 5 juveniles.

A quick check was made of the Ecology Centre area, before I made my way around the end of the loch and along the north shore path. Nothing unusual was seen, although Yellowhammers are now moving back into the area. At the fishing platforms, there were three tents set up. Two of the anglers were talking. At least one had a strong English accent. I'd spoken to one angler last year, during the Spring lockdown, when restrictions stated that you could not be more than five miles from home. He was quite open that he had travelled up from England for a week at the loch.

It is very tempting to get the local constabulary to check out origins of these anglers, but despite my growing frustration with their presence, it is not my way.

Passing the hide, I spotted an unusual bird in amongst the willowy scub between the loch and the marsh area. There, hopping about at close range, was a Buzzard. Moving up to the Tree Tops path, I found my first Treecreepers for quite a while. I'm not sure if these birds move off somewhere in the winter, or if I've just not been seeing them.

My route took me to the troll bridge, then back along the old cart road, up past the cottages, then around the upper field before descending back down the loch's access road. Redwing were spotted in the horse field, as was an empty liquor bottle, that took me a while to extract from over the barbed wire fence. Minutes later, when driving out along this road, a Sparrowhawk, another bird that I've not seen for a while in the area, swooped past the car.

About 35 species registered. Things are looking up.

 

[Gander]

I have been informed that a new bird to the patch was spotted back in February at the loch. The person who made the sighting is a very experienced birder, so I am pleased to add Goshawk to the list.

134 (91) - Goshawk

 

[Gander]

A walk along Seafield yesterday rewarded me with some good sea duck activity.

Firstly, far out on the Forth, a flock of 40+ Common Scoter were seen in flight, before landing on the water in the general direction of Leven from my position. Even while I was tracking the flock, I could hear multiple Long-Tailed Duck calls much closer in. Turning my attention to the source, I found three males having a right old barney over the attentions of a single female.

Little onshore bird activity, but a nice Grey Wagtail was seen on the flooded grass behind the sea wall.

 

[Tomwbhx]

Walked from the Seafield car park as far as the steps down to the railway yesterday afternoon with the tide coming in. With the great weather and calm water it was great sit and get the scope out. Found a couple of nice rafts of Common Scoter and three Velvet Scoter. There were a few Long-tailed Duck around as well, my wife's favourite!

On the rocks were the usual suspects, Redshank, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Purple Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Shag and a couple of Curlew. A highlight were our first Yellowhammer on the walk although no Grey Wagtail or Kingfisher this time.

We do this walk a couple of times a month, so I will try in future to update every time.

 

[Gander]

Walked from the Seafield car park as far as the steps down to the railway yesterday afternoon with the tide coming in. With the great weather and calm water it was great sit and get the scope out. Found a couple of nice rafts of Common Scoter and three Velvet Scoter. There were a few Long-tailed Duck around as well, my wife's favourite!

On the rocks were the usual suspects, Redshank, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Purple Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Shag and a couple of Curlew. A highlight were our first Yellowhammer on the walk although no Grey Wagtail or Kingfisher this time.

We do this walk a couple of times a month, so I will try in future to update every time.

Excellent.

Make sure you visit the loch some time. Always worth a visit!

 

[Tomwbhx]

Excellent.

Make sure you visit the loch some time. Always worth a visit! been to the loch a few times on the way home, but this tends to be late afternoon and the sun at that time makes viewing the far

Excellent.

Make sure you visit the loch some time. Always worth a visit!

Thanks, ee have been, but usually late afternoon on our way home from the coast, so the sun makes it difficult to see what's on the far side of the loch, must try and do the loch first!

 

[Gander]

I notice on Birdtrack that there were Siskins at the loch in February.

Sneaky little blighters!

 

[Gander]

Returning to the patch yesterday, I made an early morning visit, first along the coastal path, and then a short circuit at the loch. No big changes, however, nice to see both Chiffchaff and Sand Martin now present.

The Chiffchaff seem to be present in bumper numbers, especially along the strip. Good numbers at the loch also, but more spread out.

 

[Tomwbhx]

It's been longer than we intended since our last walk here, but having to go to B&Q in Kirkcaldy meant it would have been rude not to go for a walk down at Seafield.

The usuals suspects were about, Redshank, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Eider. We didn't have the scope with us but couldn't see any sign of Scoter or LT Duck offshore. On the rocks near where the steps drop down to the Railway we did find a solitary Black-tailed Godwit, with some Curlew. Then as we tarried by the big water outlet on the way back a pair of Merganser flew in which was nice.

Small bird wise not much to add, had a Reed Bunting singing by the Tower, a Wren singing by the water outlet and our first Chiffchaff along the walk as well.

 

[Gander]

Yesterday, a walk along Seafield to the point, produced nothing new other than a Collared Dove in Point Cove (formerly Bullfinch cove). I decided to descend from the point down to the cave, and then along the stoney bay to rejoin the path above the ruined cottages.

Crossing the metal bridge in front of the cave, I came close to not noticing that one of the panel s of grating was missing. I nearly joined it at the bottom of the gulley, where it had fallen, probably knocked out of place by heavy seas, kids or some other natural hazard. I phoned the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust to inform them, before lodging a log off the beach, across the bridge, to prevent any other walkers (who don't have my cat like reflexes), that a gaping hole awaits the unwary.

There are no winter birds left at the moment, other than a lone Bar-Tailed Godwit, deserted by the four or five of its kindred that over-wintered here.

The loch this morning produced a surprise. Not a bird, just a surprise. In the woodland above the north bank, there is a clearing next to a Scottish gas unit, that I am guessing is some type of monitoring or valving station on a pipeline. The area is prime warbler type territory. As I approached through the woods, I found the area fenced off, and a sign in place announcing that it is going to be used as a woodland school. Basically, an outside pre-school for a bunch of kiddies. My wife has informed me that these things are springing up all over the place, and are for those who believe their kids should not be indoors so much, and that there is no bad weather, just bad clothing.

This could be the last straw for me! There is far too much pressure on this place, and I can only see it going downhill. The new owner at the farm appears to be doing his own thing, and has no inclination towards the environment or conservation, and has made it clear that he does not want to work with the rural trust.

This week, the Earthship charity that has been at the loch for a few years, are moving out. They are dismantling the building they put up, so that it can't be used for things not in line with their view on the environment. Sounds like they have fallen out with the landlord. The rural trust offered to take over the maintenance of the garden maze planted by the charity, but have been told that the landlord has other plans for the area.

There are a few other issues bubbling away in the background that make me think my time in this area is nearing an end, but I'll take it as far as I can bear before moving on.

Also seen at the loch this morning was the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, making a party political broadcast (or something similar). I have no political leanings. I distrust them all equally.

P.S - First Mallard ducklings seen this morning.

 

[Gander]

Sei Whale reported off the strip, yesterday evening.

 

[Gander]

This morning I decided to do a full tour of the strip and loch by foot. For the first time this year, I was in shirt sleeves, with the winter jacket put away. Air temperature was still low, but with no wind to produce chill factor, and warmth from direct sunshine, it was enjoyable to be out.

I was hoping that at least a Willow Warbler or two would have made it to the strip, but the only warblers between the car park and Kinghorn were the Chiffchaffs. On my way, I decided to drop down off the path to see the repair to the metal bridge at the entrance to Seafield Cave. I was disappointed to see that The Fife Coast and Countryside Trust had not bothered their backsides, and that there were not even barriers or warning signs in place.

Rejoining the path, I continued towards Kinghorn. Stopping briefly at the benches, I spotted a bird flowing the shoreline below. It looked like a Swallow, but by the time I raised the binoculars, it was out of site. I reached Kinghorn with nothing new to add to the year list. Heading through the village though, I found two definite Swallows, just as I emerged from the village.

Reaching the loch, I was disappointed to find that there were two paddle-boarders out on it. I watched as they approached one of the barley hay rafts at the top end, an area they are not supposed to be in. The only bird on the raft was a Cormorant, but their approach flushed the bird away. It was also very noticeable that that there were no grebes on the water, either Little or Great Crested. Very unusual for the time of year.

I headed along the north bank, where I bumped into Cuckoo-Shrike (Andy), heading in the opposite direction. He had just seen his first Willow Warbler of the year. After a quick chat, I was soon heading into the area he had come from. Passing the hide, I entered the pond/marsh area, and in no time at all, I soon picked out my first Willow Warblers of the year. And as a bonus, my first Blackcap of the year was also seen.

So, a few steps in the right direction, with hopefully a lot more to come.

 

[kawwauser]

I can see paddle boarders becoming a major pain

 

[burnie]

and a family in canoes on Balgavies loch, plus wild swimmers, there seems to be a stampede into the countryside and with no understanding of how to behave responsibly.

 

[Gander]

It does not help when Springwatch has one of their presenters paddling away on a board.

 

[Gander]

I did a more extensive tour of the loch area yesterday. Very noticeable that the woodland is filling up with Blackcaps and Willow Warblers. One of my hopes this year, is that I'll get a Garden Warbler in this area. I'm fairly sure I saw a young one late in the summer last year, but was not 100% sure, so did not list it.

Very quiet on the loch, but with three upright paddle-boarders in bright yellow life jackets, you would not expect it to be anything but quiet. The Little Grebes seem to be the first casualty, as I've not seen one there for weeks.

 

[Raith rovers]

I did a more extensive tour of the loch area yesterday. Very noticeable that the woodland is filling up with Blackcaps and Willow Warblers. One of my hopes this year, is that I'll get a Garden Warbler in this area. I'm fairly sure I saw a young one late in the summer last year, but was not 100% sure, so did not list it.

Very quiet on the loch, but with three upright paddle-boarders in bright yellow life jackets, you would not expect it to be anything but quiet. The Little Grebes seem to be the first casualty, as I've not seen one there for weeks.

Hi gander.

I’m new to this site and don’t really post in general. I believe you met my better half last week at the loch and you recommended this site and thread.

Noting your hopes for the year ( garden warbler ) we saw one Last year, but didn’t get a photograph. It was on the route from whinney Knowe towards Burntisland golf course, just near the picnic tables.

hope this is of interest and use.

 

[Gander]

Hi gander.

I’m new to this site and don’t really post in general. I believe you met my better half last week at the loch and you recommended this site and thread.

Noting your hopes for the year ( garden warbler ) we saw one Last year, but didn’t get a photograph. It was on the route from whinney Knowe towards Burntisland golf course, just near the picnic tables.

hope this is of interest and use.

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.

Any info is useful, so please feel free to post any reports on the thread.

I should get Garden Warbler this year. It is ideal habitat for them. The trouble is picking out their song from the songs of the Blackcap masses.