Seafield to Kinghorn (2 Viewers)

[Gander]

Spring has felt like it has been happening in slow motion this year, but it is gradually unravelling. At the loch area, since my last post, highlights have been Red-legged Partridge and a migrant Wheatear. On the water itself, a Red-breasted Merganser has again turned up. The tagged (LYU) female Mute Swan, who bred here between 2014 and 2021 turned up, but was chased off by the present resident male. I did wonder if going by the amount of aggression shown, whether LYU might be its mother-in-law!
Along the coastal strip, a second Lesser Whitethroat has moved in; this one near Seafield Cave. Out on the firth, there has been a large Common Scoter presence, but despite multiple long range photos, I've not been able to sort out a Velvet amongst them. A few Long-tailed Duck are still present, and a half dozen Wigeon made an appearance. Sandwich Terns now showing up in numbers.
Last night, a Grasshopper Warbler was reported on the Fife network as being near Seafield Tower. I headed down there first thing this morning, and was able to find the bird (see photo) in almost the exact same location that I found my only other one from the patch a few years ago. Another year first in Common Whitethroat also present this morning.

 

[Gander]

Now at least two Grasshopper Warbler present in tower area. Two Lesser Whitethroat still present towards the Kinghorn end of the strip. First Seafield House Martins seen this morning.

 

[Gander]

Just posted this Ringed Waders- Fife on the ringing banding pages. Copying here to give wider circulation.

 

[Gander]

I have been a bit slack in keeping this thread up to date, so a brief summary of highlights since my last update is long overdue.

The presence of Lesser Whitethroat and Grasshopper Warbler continued into the summer, but I did not see any concrete evidence of breeding despite calling males being active in good breeding territory. Common Terns were late coming back, but I was encouraged by what felt like normal numbers despite last year's AF wipe out. Several ringed Sandwich Terns were found, with a couple from the NE of England, and one from Northern Ireland. One of the English ringed birds had been recorded in Senegal. There was also a ringed bird bird from Grampian area, but frustratingly, despite several attempts, I have been unable to get any info from either the ringer or the Grampian Ringing Group.
Highlight of the Autumn was a Honey Buzzard at Seafield. I had put photos (poor photos) of the bird on the ID pages, but although the general response was it was probably a HB, I never recorded it until about a month later, on a whim, I sent the photo to the Fife Recorder, who felt there was enough there for me to send a report in to the fife rare birds committee.
Autumn in general seemed to happen in slow motion, with a lot of species arriving back later than usual. And a lot of Summer species hanging about later than usual. In the loch area, I recorded my first Garden Warbler for that part of the patch (Seafield bird recorded several years ago). At Seafield Harbour a flock of circa 50 Purple Sandpiper were recorded, which is easily a personal record for the area.
Little Auk (2) were found off Seafield a week or so ago. No other surprising Winter arrivals yet, although I did find my first loch area Goosander a week or so ago.

Now I am going to be in a more settled routine with my work, I'll try to keep this thread better updated.

 

[Gander]

A Little Egret was reported at Kinghorn Loch yesterday. I need it to stay there for two weeks, as it is a patch first, and I am stranded offshore until then.

 

[Gander]

Returning to the loch after nearly three weeks away, I was hoping to find something surprising. What I found though was not really what I had in mind. Hopefully, nobody seriously hurt. The police tape is where the road skirts the south bank of the loch. There is a crash barrier there, but obviously not up to the job.

 

[Gander]

There has not been much to report this week. There has been a total lack of some species this winter, so I was very pleased when I finally found a single Redwing near the loch. Still no sign of Fieldfare in the area though. Normally, these two species are common and plentiful here at this time of year, but something seems to have deterred them. Weather maybe?
Also missing are Yellowhammer. Only a single one seen in months. And Tree Sparrow numbers have also collapsed.
Along the coastal strip, last years Knot have not made a staying return, but Sanderling have filled the gap. Strangely, I have seen a few juvenile Puffin. Again, I'm assuming their unusual winter showing is weather related?
This morning at the loch, produced an unexpected personal patch tick. A Little Egret made a showing. I am assuming it is the same bird that was reported there on the 05/12/24 before moving to Burntisland for a few weeks.

 

[Gander]

No real changes this last week or so. At the loch a Water Rail has been the highlight, with a Kingfisher making regular appearances. Along the coastal strip, juvenile Puffins are still showing up.

 

[Gander]

It has been what might best described as a quiet winter, with only a few highlights. In February, most notable bird was a Red-breasted Merganser on the loch.
I've been away for three weeks so it was good to get back yesterday. The R-B Merganser appears to have moved on, and although there were a pair of Great Crested Grebe on the water in early February, they seemed to be absent. Of the winter wildfowl, only a single Tufted Duck and a single Pochard were present. The good news on the Mute Swan front is that there is now a pair settled on the loch. I am not sure if this is the widowed female from last year with a new partner, or possibly a new couple.
Highlights yesterday were a clear, unobstructed view of a Water Rail, and the presence of two Chiffchaff.
At Seafield, I did not last too long due to gusting wind making it very uncomfortable for both birds and birder.

 

[Gander]

A few Spring/Summer birds showing up at both the loch area and at the coastal strip. On Monday I saw my first Swallows (3) of the year between Seafield Harbour and the tower, along with 5 returning Sandwich Terns. Linnet also have moved back into the area.
Yesterday, a flock of 20 or so Common Scoter were evident out on the Forth. A single Velvet Scoter was seen to fly by. A Black Scoter has been seen just a few miles down the Forth, so I live in hope!
At the loch, the wood have rapidly filled up with Willow Warbler and Blackcap, adding their voices to the already present Chiffchaff. The resident Mute Swan female has a new mate, and she is now sitting on a nest. A Great Crested Grebe pair also have their first nest of the season.

 

[Gander]

It's been a bit of a slow motion Spring, but the birds are arriving. Two days ago, I was very happy to hear a Grasshopper Warbler reeling away near the tower. Then this morning, I went for a final walk before I head away offshore later today. I was rewarded by two new arrivals. A Common Whitethroat near where I heard the Grasshopper Warbler. And a Lesser Whitethroat towards the top of the hill south of the tower.