STONEFACTION BIRDING: 0199 : Kingsbarns To Crail (25/8/15)

0199 : Kingsbarns To Crail (25/8/15)

With the favourable easterlies of the previous couple of days having swung back round to the west, there was less reason to try for migrants along the coast than the day before, however there was a chance of some of the arrivals still being around. A Wryneck had also been found by Rab Shand at Kilminning in the afternoon after he had left Boarhills. Sea-watching was also a possibility, with Skuas and various other seabirds still on my 'need list' for the year. Being indecisive I wasn't entirely sure where I should go for the best birding possibilities, but I was determined to get out again, having the day off work again.

Sparrowhawk

Out before 8am to head for the bus station for a bus to St Andrews, I picked up a few birds on the way into town, namely Woodpigeon, Herring Gull, Starling and Feral Pigeon. Things seemed pretty quiet.Cormorant was added as the bus crossed the Tay, with House Martins and Carrion Crows seen near St Michaels. Curlews and Swallows were added before we reached Leuchars while Jackdaw was added in the village. Blackbird and House Sparrow were next as we passed thrugh Guardbridge and on towards St Andrews. Before we reached there, Rook was added.

I decided to head for Crail, and to decide whether a stop at Boarhills was merited or not, on the way. The Fife Dayrider Plus ticket allows me to jump on and off buses between Dundee and Edinburgh throughout the day, and all for £10.40, which is decent value for money, I think. Although I have stopped at Kingsbarns to check the beach area, I've never had a proper look, or walked along the coastal pah from here either, so instead of Boarhills, I decided to get off the bus at Kingsbarns and to walk along to Fife Ness and Crail from there.

The village was rather quiet for birds with only Goldfinch and Collared Dove seen around the houses. Just outside the village as I walked down to the beach a Yellowhammer chose to perch atop a small bush. Another bird appeared briefly on the drystane dyke but leaves obscured the view. I suspect it was possibly a Dunnock. Reaching the beach area, I had a quick check along to the west. The tide was quite well in, but on its way back out again. A few Black Headed Gulls flew past, while below them on the water were a number of Eiders. A few Pied wagtails scurried around on the path and grass nearby.

I set off along teh coastal path, skirting along the edges of the golf course. A rocky area a few minutes further on had a selection of smaller waders with Dunlin, Redshank, Ringed Plover and Turnstones sharing the beach with Great Black Backed Gull. A pair of Linnets flew up from the beach, while Oystercatchers and Sandwich Terns called as they passed by over the water. Further out the distinctive shape of Gannets could be seen, though not in any great numbers. A Shag was seen in the water as I neared Cambo.Common Gull and Grey Heron were seen here before I detoured up the burn, on the hunt for migrants lingering in the trees. Unfortunately, only Rooks and Jackdaws were seen, though both Robin and Wren were heard as was a possible Dipper.

Peering out over the wall at the southern side of the dip which the burn ran through I found a Stock Dove in the grass. Heading back down to the path, I spotted a few well camouflaged Mallards in eclipse plumage down by the water. Further on along the beach, I found a sign which routed walkers down onto the beach away from an area where cattle could be seen. There were almost no birds to see here. Unfortunately, the most memorable aspect of this half mile stretch was the totally disgusting stench of something which may have mixed cow dung and rotting seaweed , but which had me wondering if something dead had been washed up on the shore. As the smell lingered for most of the half mile stretch, it most likely was caused by the cattle, one way or another.

Another mixed group on the beach was scanned through, producing only one new species in the shape of a Common Tern. Redshanks, Ringed Plovers, Herring Gulls, Sandwich Terns and Oystercatchers lazed together among the rocks. A pair of Grey Herons were roosting in with the cows in a field. A short distance on, a small flock of Knot flew in and landed on the beach. I got a few photos before they flew off again, back towards Fife Ness. Rather than continue along the coast to Fife Ness myself, I decided to explore the track up past Wormiston. I knew it led down to the road out to the golf course but I wasn't sure what was in between.

A Skylark flushed from the side of the track as I headed up past the holiday cottages. A couple of Common Darter dragonflies were seen here, which was a bit of a surprise. I passed the gate at the top of the hill which led onto the track I wanted to be on. A short distance along, movement over the field caught my eye. A Sparrowhawk was being outmanoeuvred by a small bird just trying to stay alive. Thankfully, it escaped, and in the process I managed a great flight shot of the Sparrowhawk as it broke off its chase. Blue Tits flitted around among the trees beside the track, while in the lee of the trees, Swallows and House Martins hunted for insects. A Kestrel passing over was mobbed by the smaller hirundines.

Seconds later, a Buzzard was spotted circling round a bit further away. Among the hirundines, I was a little surprised to see a few Sand Martins still passing through. Next overhead was a flock of Golden Plovers. Down towards the sea, a flock of lapwings also flew up, along with a flock of Starlings, and they milled around a bit and then dropped back down out of sight again. Off the Lothian coast I could see an oil rig on the horizon. I reached the road and headed out towards Kilminning. A Swift was a nice addition along this stretch, the first Swift of the day, but not the last, as things turned out.

Things appeared rather quiet in the top end of Kilminning, with only a pair of Willow Warblers in the trees backing onto the industrial units on the airfield. Birds in general seemed to be in very short supply. I was a bit surprised to see a male Redstart drop down onto the tarmac briefly from the bottom of a small bush, but it shot off into the trees opposite before I could grab a photo. Still another good bird to get, the second of the species in 2 days. Checking the grassy area to the east of the road only added Magpie, before I wandered off down the road, in the hope that maybe the Wryneck was still around. As the karting circuit was active I wasn't holding out much hope. Needless to say, no Wryneck. I did have further sightings of Kestrel and Sparrowhawk though.

I did succeed in adding Whitethroat and Chaffinch before stopping for a 5 minute sea-watch from the bench overlooking the coastal path. There wasn't much on the move, with a few Eiders and a pair of Guillemots, plus the usual Gannets. A small group of gulls were down on the rocky shore. A Greenfinch was added on the way back up the track. I stopped to chat to 2 birders from the Falkirk area who were up hoping to see something decent. Told them about the Redstart but it didn't show when we went looking for it. A large group of 15-20 Swifts did show overhead for a minute or so, obviously just fresh in from off the sea. I was offered a lift back to Crail from the birders which after all my walking I was very grateful to accept. This allowed me time to check out Denburn Wood (nothing to see) before heading for home.

Not quite as much seen, but a decent variety anyway, and a good day out in the sunshine which has been in short supply this 'summer'. 52 species seen - Blackbird, Black Headed Gull, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Common Gull, Common Tern, Cormorant, Curlew, Dunlin, Eider, Gannet, Golden Plover, Goldfinch, Great Black Backed Gull, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Guillemot, Herring Gull, House Martin, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Knot, Lapwing, Linnet, Magpie, Mallard, Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Redshank, Redstart, Ringed Plover, Feral Pigeon, Rook, Sand Martin, Sandwich Tern, Shag, Skylark, Song Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Starling, Stock Dove, Swallow, Swift, Turnstone, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Woodpigeon, Yellowhammer.