FIFE

HIGHLIGHTS: A Black Redstart was at Elie Harbour (15th-22nd). Snow Buntings showed at Tentsmuir (48), Outhead and Boarhills. A Rustic Bunting was at Kingsbarns (7th). A Scandinavian Rock Pipit was at Kilrenny Mill (27th).

The Hudsonian Godwit remained in the Eden Estuary (21st), with 33 pale-bellied Brent Geese there (31st). Whooper Swans were at six sites including 59 at Dunfermline (13th) and 36 at Craigluscar (29th). A dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Tayport.

Pintails were in Newmills Bay and Torry Bay. Ring-necked Ducks were at Kircaldy and Cameron Reservoir (two). Kinghorn Loch held Pochards. A flock of 150 Scaup commuted between Outhead and St Andrews, with four at Cameron Reservoir. St Andrews Bay held good numbers of Common Scoters, Velvet Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks. Smew were at Cameron and Ballo Reservoirs (28th). Red-throated Divers were off Ruddons Point (nine) and Kinghorn.

Black-throated Divers were off Anstruther, Ruddons Point and Kinghorn, with Great Northern Divers at East Weymss, Anstruther, St Andrews, Ruddons Point, Fife Ness, Kincraig and Kinghorn. Slavonian Grebes were at Largo Bay, Dalgety Bay, Outhead, Fife Ness, with 20 off Tentsmuir (28th). A Red-necked Grebe was at Kincraig Point. A late Manx Shearwater passed East Weymss. The Eden Estuary held Little Egrets, a Spotted Redshank and two White-tailed Eagles. A Red Kite flew over Morton Lochs (1st).

Marsh Harriers remained at Rossie Bog and Newburgh. A Hen Harrier was at Cameron Reservoir. Merlins were at Airdrie (Anstruther), Boarhills and Crailere. Fife Ness, Anstruther, St Andrews and Elie held Purple Sandpipers. There were 220 Sanderlings at Elie Harbour. Letham Pools held two Green Sandpipers. A Bar-tailed Godwit was at Valleyfield Lagoons (1st). The Whimbrel remained at Kincraig Point.

Woodcocks were at Balcomie, Cameron Reservoir and Knockhill Quarry.

Jack Snipe were at Kilmany, Cocklemill Marsh and Tayport. A Pomarine Skua was off St Andrews (11th). Several Mediterranean Gulls were noted, including four at Kinghorn Loch (21st). Iceland and Glaucous Gulls were at Kingsbarns and Crail. Short-eared Owls were at Cocklemill Marsh (1st) and Kingsbarns. A Siberian Chiffchaff was at Cameron Reservoir (19th).

Two Hawfinches flew over St Andrews. Twite included 120 at Kingsbarns (27th) and 60 at Kenly Burn (6th). There were 16 Lapland Buntings at Boarhills (12th). Fifteen Crossbills were at Anstruther (30th). Sauchope held 40 Corn Buntings (31st). A Ring-necked Parakeet was at Beveridge Park.

Dave Heeley (dw.heeley@btinternet.com)