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Fife is predominantly rural, with a small industrial belt (mostly mining) lying in central and west Fife around Lochgelly and Dunfermline. The Kingdom is bounded to the north by the Tay Estuary (stretching from Newburgh out past Tentsmuir Point) and to the south by the huge Firth of Forth. At the eastern tip of Fife lies Fife Ness and the North Sea. North-east Fife is rich cultivated arable land, with few trees and hedgerows. The River Eden runs through Cupar and opens into a two-mile long estuary at Guardbridge, by the historic university and golf city of St Andrews. The East Neuk is the collective term for the south-east fishing villages of Crail, Anstruther, Cellardyke, Elie, Pittenween and St Monans. Fife contains almost no natural woodland of any size, with the two biggest areas of trees being the forestry plantations at Tentsmuir and Devilla Forests. The long Fife coastline is composed of both rocky shore and sandy beaches. The Isle of May lies about 5 miles south of Crail at the entrance to the Firth of Forth. |
AA Fife
has few upland areas but in the west of the Kingdom are the Cleish Hills, and more central the Lomond Hills near Falkland and Leslie. There is often a good autumn passage of skuas and terns in the Firth of Forth, best viewed in Fife from Kinghorn Harbour, North Queensferry and Inverkeithing Harbour. To the west of Dunfermline (near Culross) Torry Bay and Valleyfield Lagoons host waders and wildfowl. Map References in the list below.AA Lochs & Reservoirs
Those worth a visit for winter wildfowl, waders and gulls include Loch Gelly; Lochore Meadows CP; Cameron Reservoir behind St Andrews; Ballo Reservoir and Holl Reservoir; Birnie and Gaddon Lochs near Collessie; Lindores Loch; Craigluscar Reservoir near Dunfermline; and the delightful Kilconquhar Loch in the East Neuk. Map references in the list below:AA Near Tayport
are Tentsmuir Point, Morton Lochs and Kinshaldy Beach, offering extensive forest and shoreline walks. Map references below.Ballo Reservoir
Birnie and Gaddon Lochs
Cameron Reservoir
Satellite ViewCleish Hills
See aboveCraigluscar Reservoir
Satellite ViewFife Ness
Satellite ViewBest known birding site in Fife. Rocky shore, farmland, scrub, tidal pond, and the famous Patch on Fife Ness Muir with Heligoland traps and a ringing hut. There is a Seawatching hide built by Fife Bird Club adjacent to the pillbox at the Ness. It is a great migrant spot in spring and autumn. Also visit Balcomie Farm walled garden (NO625099); Kilminning coast (NO632086) and Denburn Wood in Crail (NO614081).
Inverkeithing Harbour
Satellite ViewIsle of May
Satellite ViewBird Observatory established in 1934. Regular boat trips to island from Anstruther on pleasure cruisers in spring and summer. Birders (six) can stay on the island for a small charge. Celebrated migrant hot spot; wonderful seabird colonies.
Kilconquhar Loch
Satellite ViewKinghorn Harbour
See aboveKinshaldy Beach
Largo Bay
has a large sandy beach from the River Leven stretching past the town of Leven, through Lower Largo to the Cocklemill Burn (NO468013) and Ruddons Point (NO454005) and Shell Bay (NO459002). Thousands of winter seaduck present in the area, especially around the outfall of the Leven by Methil Power Station (NO382003). The best place in Britain to see Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata, with up to 5 birds off Ruddons Point (access via Kincraig Caravan Park) in the winter.Lindores Loch
Satellite ViewLoch Gelly
Satellite ViewLochore Meadows CP
Satellite ViewLomond Hills
See aboveMorton Lochs
North Queensferry
St Andrews & NE Fife
is a good area for winter wildfowl and passage waders. There is a public hide on the Eden Estuary LNR (NO478195) at the Guardbridge Nature Centre (NO452192); which offers panoramic views over the mudflats and Leuchars RAF base. Other hides are at Edenside (NO457192) and Balgove Bay (NO485185); but keys are needed for these. Also visit Outhead (NO494197) at the end of the West Sands in St Andrews, to view the estuary mouth.Tentsmuir Point
Torry Bay
Valleyfield Lagoons
Dr Rob Lambert
(St Andrews, Fife)
ral2@st-andrews.ac.uk
Isle of May - Iain English
19 Nethan Gate, Hamilton, S Lanarks ML3 8NH
i.english@talk21.com
Malcolm Ware
15a King Street, Inverkeithing, Fife KY11 1NB
malcolm.ware12@talktalk.net
Number of bird species: 307
A Checklist of the Birds of Mainland Fife
Fife Bird Club, (3rd edn, 1999) ?2 from Fife Recorder.Annual Fife Bird Report
Produced by Fife Bird Club, edited by DS Fotheringham. Annual Isle of May Bird Observatory Report from Isle of May Recorder.The Fife Bird Atlas
by Norman Elkins, Jim Reid, Allan Brown, Derek Robertson, Anne-Marie Smout et al.ISBN: 0953932427
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Where to Watch Birds in Scotland
Mike Madders and Julia Welstead - 297 pages, b/w illus, maps - Christopher HelmISBN: 071365693X
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Isle of May Records
Ian Darling, 579 Lanark Road West, Edinburgh, EH14 7BL
Fife Bird Club
WebsiteFormed in July of 1985 by a group of keen birdwatchers wanting to provide more information and better facilities for those interested in the birds of mainland Fife. The Club has grown to include several hundred members, with over a third of these actually living outwith Fife...
Scottish Wildlife Trust - Fife & Kinross Branch
WebsiteWelcome to this web site which is about the wildlife and the activities of Scottish Wildlife Trust members in the East Coast counties of Fife and Kinross...
Scottish Ornithologists Club - Fife Branch
WebsiteSecretary & Chairman: Robert Armstrong, Struan House, Old St Andrews Road, Guardbridge KY16 0UD, Tel 01334 838279
Isle of May Bird Observatory
ObservatorySatellite View
The Isle of May Bird Observatory is Scotland’s oldest bird observatory, founded in 1934. The observatory is administered by a charitable trust (The Isle of May Bird Observatory and Field Station Trust) and manned by volunteer observers between March and November. The Observatory was founded by a group of young Scottish ornithologists and has continued to depend on the enthusiasm of amateurs who come to the island, usually for a week at a time, to maintain observations. The living accomodation is housed within the low light, a former navigational lighthouse... Jonathan Osborne, The Shieling, Halcombe Crescent, Earlston, Berwickshire TD4 6DA 01896 848126 jonathan@osborne108.fsnet.co.uk
RSPB Reserve - Loch Leven (Vane Farm)
WebsiteSatellite View
Although now in Perth and Kinross, Vane Farm RSPB Reserve on the shores of Loch Leven, sits on the border with Fife and is popular with local birders. It has an excellent tearoom, RSPB shop and bookstore, and a board with recent bird sightings from the entire East of Scotland.
Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve - Fife Ness Muir
WebsiteSatellite View
Approaching 150 species of birds have been seen from the reserve including 17 species of warbler. During spring and autumn recording is carried out on a daily basis and the reserve is now a ringing station with permanent traps similar to those on the Isle of May...
Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserves
WebsiteAnnotated list...
This section sponsored by: 
Birding Pal
InformationLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
A Stay in Fife
AccommodationThe Bed and Breakfast Network In Fife, Scotland...
Braemore B&B
AccommodationNewport is well placed for the tourist routes to the Highlands or the North East after you enjoy the delights of St.Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife.
Fife & Lothian Bed and Breakfast Association
AccommodationFind the right place to stay in Central Scotland - Quality Inspected B&Bs...
The Paddock
AccommodationThe Paddock is situated in the small village of Strathkinness, 3 miles west of St.Andrews. The house is a modern residence with outstanding country views positioned in a secluded spot set back from the road...
Fife Birds
Mailing ListMailing group for anyone interested in the birds of Fife...
Forth Estuary Forum
ForumA list of Forth Estuary Forum participants, including the basic website of the North East Fife Ranger Service. A list of environmental bodies & charities & organisations with an interest in the wider Forth catchment area, as well as the Firth of Forth.
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This site was last updated on Monday, 29th April 2013.