Trip reports

Local Group Outing to Ruddon's Point

Sunday, 16 March 2008

It is pretty rare at any time or any place in Britain to be able to see all three members of the Scoter family through a telescope at the same time - but that is what 16 members of the Group were able to do on this bright March morning at Ruddon's Point, Fife. We had specifically gone there as it is one of very few reliable places at which to see Surf Scoters, the North American cousins of our Common and Velvet Scoters, and we were not disappointed. Although we only found one male, it gave us excellent views at quite close range in good sunlight, showing its white nape and forehead very clearly, contrasting well with the Velvets with which it seemed principally to consort and the Commons, the majority of which formed a dense flock further out. Many Eiders and a few Long-tailed Ducks were also in the bay, as were Red-breasted Mergansers and a few Guillemots and Razorbills, whilst a Red-throated Diver demonstrated just how elusive these birds can be when they spend so long under the water. Much further out in the Forth a probable Black-throated Diver was just too far away for us to be absolutely certain, but a few early returning Gannets told us that spring is not far away, a message emphasised by the many singing Skylarks rising from the long grass around us, and a male Stonechat surveying the caravan park.

After lunch in the sun, we went on to Kilconquhar. On the loch we saw Great-crested and Little Grebes, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye and Teal. There was also a distant raptor low in the trees on the other side - Buzzard? Red Kite? Marsh Harrier? or was it only an illusion? It was too distant, we weren`t even sure if it had moved its head, but that is bird watching! There were certainly Buzzards overhead, and in the village we saw the usual Finches, Tits and the two species of Sparrows. Jackdaws were calling round the church and a Song Thrush was singing, though we never found it. Finally we moved on to the shore at Leven, where a Great Black-backed Gull brought the gull tally to five. Pied Wagtails and Pipits were among the rocks, but a Turnstone was the only additional wader. Yet another great day out.