Birding UK and Ireland Forum - Blogs - Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ Birding UK and Ireland Bird Forum en Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:53:40 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg Birding UK and Ireland Forum - Blogs - Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/ Part Three Birding In East Neuk of Fife June/July 2010 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/336-part-three-birding-east-neuk-fife-june-july-2010.html Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:16:47 GMT Will begin with Part Three of this blog as soon as possible Which I hope will cover Holiday activities in and around the East Neuk of Fife and... Will begin with Part Three of this blog as soon as possible
Which I hope will cover Holiday activities in and around the East Neuk of Fife and surrounding Areas.

Planned trip..: To The Isle of May.... very pleased to know that on the 21 June 2010 at 11:00 am will be meeting up with Maggie in Anstruther at the Fishing Museum ..to visit the Isle together will be nice to put a face to the name. I think absolutely certain that you,ll recieve a Report over the trip from Maggie before mine appears in my Blog.....really hope the weather is kind to us.

One more day ......then we are off lots to do today including Packing the car Tanking later this evening
This is the Final information piece now as Im closing this until we begin with the Birding in Fife so Cheers Guys

Friday / Saturday 17/18 june 2010
We arrived in Pittenweem after travelling through the night stopping at the Borders for an hours sleep in the car
Having left The Netherlands friday midday at 12:30 Arriving at my daughters Saturday morning about 0830
so 1400km and 20 hours later safely in Scotland.

20 june 2010
Has planned Met Maggie at the Fishing Museum in Anstruther for ourbtrip to Isle of May......We went for a Bit to eat and drink at the Watrefront in Anstruther, met a few old friends along the way which is always nice.
We walked back to the Boat area and did a Camera check inthe small beach area before Boarding the Boat
Maggie certainly knows the best places to be on the boat
Excellent warm weather not a breeze and Hot all day so lucky in that respect.
The Isle was everything I had hoped for and more and Maggie certainly was a Great guide and excellent company. a Really great trip would I do it again I think that some day I might return............Sightings not photographed manx shearwaters...Meadow pippit....Gannets all spotted fly towards The Isle of May from the Boat.

24 JUNE 2010
Telephoned Tony the Warden based in Leven to let him know Iwas off to Birnie Loch.....Gaddon was closed due to breeding birds
Opening again around Mind July!! For Birding Information contact Tony Wilson Fife Ranger Service 07985 707513.
You can purchase a key that fits all RSPB hides......but Tony very kindly lent me his key and told me where to locate it on arrival at Birnie Loch.....very quite the only person there apart from local dog walkers. My First Experience of a Hide really enjoy the Peace and quite and the birds coming and going. Returned the key with a letter of thanks Will post a few Photographs on the Forum to corresponde with the Blog.

25 June 2010:
Got up at 0400 left Pittenweem for Earlsferry....not a thing along the shore line so ventured to Lower largo That was quite good a rey heron a few Oystercatchers the weather was good dry warm and no wind returned home at 0730.
Did manage to photograph a male pheasant along the way!!

26 June 2010
Walked Skye this morning by the Graveyard show a beautiful Song Thrush holding a worm in its mouth sat on the Graveyard wall.
Today had my second appoinment with Maggie arranged to met at RSPB Vane Farm Loch Leven at 10:00.
Excellent company and excellent days birding together....we lft at 1500 as Maggie had to return to Glasgow around two hours travelling!!I arrived home at Pittenweem at about 1600....Enjoyable visiting the Hides at Loch Leven excellent allround views.
Nice cafe and shop Toilets nice and clean Staff very helpful in respect of Bird IDs. lots of Local infomation posted in Cafe Well worth a visit if your in the Area at any time.

28 June 2010
Visited Elie Estate this is a Private eastate with Public Access.
Walking with my Grandson in a very quite tranquil setting photographed s agroup of Three male Pheasant and a Female.
Returning to the Car we spotted a Yellow Hammer
took a few photo,s

Later today a planned Visit to Elite Falconary Centre Cluny Clays Cluny Fife Excellent afternoon early evening walking with the Harris Hawk some super photographs ]]> Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/336-part-three-birding-east-neuk-fife-june-july-2010.html Part Two:Holiday Scotland http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/330-part-two-holiday-scotland.html Sat, 22 May 2010 12:17:38 GMT Will continue the Holiday blog Part Two: Preparation/ Planning/ Birding/Holiday/ Scotland 2010 in due course The following research deals with... Will continue the Holiday blog

Part Two: Preparation/ Planning/ Birding/Holiday/ Scotland 2010 in due course

The following research deals with the East Nuek of Fife
This was explaned and layed out in Part one but was saved and therefore lost being too long for the Blog so I will repeat the Information

Guide to the East Neuk of Fife:

Elie/Earlsferry:

Elie occupies the Eastern half of the mile long South facing Sandy Bay
Since 1929 formally joined with Earlsferry of the two ...Earlsferry has the longest history. Being made a Royal Burgh in 1373 by Robert the Second. In 1373 it was also a Ferry port,but due to a serious storm ceased to operate after 1766...then being better protected Elie took over the Ferry Port
On the East edge of Elie lays ElieHouse built on an earlier site in 1697 by Sir William Anstruther.

St Monans:

Lies between Elie and Pittenweem. St Monans as a long history also in this area...a village called Invenie existed here as far back as the 800,s In about 875 St Monanus
or St Monans was buried in a Shrine the village was renamed yes you,ve guessed it St Monans.
St Monans Heart is the "Shore" the road that runs along the Harbour divided into three West Shore... Middle Shore.. East Shore.

Pittenweem:

Is now the most active Fishing port in the East Neuk of
Fife. As in other villages in the Area many houses echo the Dutch-style with crow-stepped gables.
The Parish church dates back too the 1300,s. The Priory church founded by Augustiinan Monks from Isle of May in the 1200,s.
The village name means : Place of the Cave refering to St Finnans Cave in Cove Wynd.
The Harbour expanded by Sir John Anstruther in 1770.
He needed a port to ship the Coal from his land and the Salt from the Saltpans at St Monans the Saltpans lay below the St monans Windmill.

Cellerdyke:

How many would guess that at one point Cellerdyke
Harbour just half a mile from Anstruther made it the Second most important Fishing Port in Scotland.
Cellerdyke is an Hidden Treasure - shownon the maps as "SkinfastHaven" The name from after the 1500,s had its origins in "Sil' erdykes which came from the Herring scales in the nets hung over the dykes to dry. Local residents are known as Dykers.

Crail:

The most easterly line of coastal villages along the South side of the East Neuk of Fife,it also as an ancient history
dating from around the 800,s and thriving by the 1100,s Made a Royal Burgh in 1310 by Robert the Bruce.
Reference: A strong dutch influence here again in the town, shown most strongly in the Tolbooth which dates back to the 1500,s.
But today what makes crail so wonderful is that its so much "The real thing " , though not a film - set, the Harbour must be
amongst the most photographed in Scotland!!!

Well ther we are a short research and history and insight to the East Neuk of Fife....should you ever be in the Area
please pay a visit you wont be disappointed.

Whats Coming up on the Agenda.....

The Car gets a Service and Skye my best friend goes in two weeks to the Dierenarts [ Vets ] for Frontline Injections Health Declaration and rabies Control.

Things to Do:

Update on Ben Friday /Saturday 28/29 June

Catscan Complete Tomorrow Internal Scan Nijmegen

Then the long wait his over....the results we know its aggressive cancer but tommorrow Ben and the Family
will know the full extent.............Ive got everything crossed that its confined to the one place!!!!!!!!!

Ive appointment Friday afternoon to hear the outcome from Ben at 14:30
Ben as asked to take him and his wife to the Ziekenhuis [ Hospital ] in Veghel on Monday 31 June.
A further update on my good friend Friday or Saturday this week. ***Please keep everything crossed for him***

Friday morning 28 June 2010 0930.

Taking the Car to Boven Leeuwen ML Auto Services
thats about 45 mins drive from home and crossing the River Maas at Megan Cost Per Auto Euro1:70
saves a long round trip....then a Car Service we hope then ready for Scotland.

Friday Midday 4 June 2010: 13:30
Skye to the Vets for annual yearly injection and control.
Check that her Travel passport is in Order with regards to Rabies. More updates around the 17 June Final control.

Every weekend now before departure cut the Lawn
with the mower.

Take the car :Wednesday 16 June to the Local Car Wash

"Special Report ".....Ben my Friend.

Its as good as it gets when you have Cancer....Bioposy 2 Positive no futher spreading to the Internal organs...Localized

So now its a normal investigative and Removal Operation.......Home 5 days after the Operation......2 Months recovery perioid

and a revue of the Situation in 6 months..............I couldnt have wished for better under the circumstances....will let you know

how things progress in due course now hope to get so sleep myself tonight.,,,WHAT A RELIEF for Ben his good lady and the

Family believe me they are Super people........................................

Saturday 29 May 2010:

Ben as informed me today he goes into Hospital Sunday evening and that the Operation is Scheduled for Monday Morning 0900...First on the list

Monday 31 May 2010:

Recieved a teelphone call from the family from Ben.........Operation went well........afternoon Ben in Side Recovery Ward
Still in a lot of pain but as comfortable as can be expected......visiting the Hospital thursday afternoon. So Good News.

Visit from Bens Wife this morning....yesterday when she visited....he was sat at a table with a cup of Coffie!!

Went to visit Ben Yesterday looks well we had a short walk down in the lift for Coffee

4th June 2010 0930:...........Ben came home this morning ............visiting the evening... Family there throughout the Day he,s tired but doing well Final Prognosis next Friday...Will update before I leave The Netherlands for my [ Vakantie ] HOLIDAYS on
Friday 18 June 2010 round 12 :45,

4th June 2010:.... Skye to the Vets for Annual Injection plus Rabies Injection and control next appointment 17 JUme 12:00pm.

9th June 2019......Ben visited me this afternoon prognosis is excellent......they are as sure as they can be that they have taken all the Cancer away......can only get better Im over the Moon.

Well just 7 more days now and counting 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 -1 ]]> Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/330-part-two-holiday-scotland.html My Preparation / Planning / Birding / Holiday..Scotland 2010 http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/305-my-preparation-planning-birding-holiday-scotland-2010.html Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:11:22 GMT Our proposed Plan for our Trip to our family in Scotland in June /July 2010. We hope to depart from Uden here in Holland around 13:00 Friday 18 -... Our proposed Plan for our Trip to our family in Scotland
in June /July 2010.
We hope to depart from Uden here in Holland around 13:00
Friday 18 - 06 - 2010 travelling through Holland Belguim and part of France to Calais
Our Planned departure is with Seafrance Berlioz at 19:50
but hopefully leaving early we hope to board an earlier ferry as at this time of the Year its fairly quite so that hopefully shouldnt present any problems

Our return journey is also with SeaFrance Berlioz at 12:30
UK time on the 12 july 2010.

We will be driving through the night Ive invited my Friend Ben to join us with the Family in Scotland his first visit Ive help him with the Bed and Breakfast as he wants to travel around which gives me chance to do some
Birding mainly Bird Photograph in the Fife area.

The Family are off to Sunny Spain not my scence too hot and dont like sun and sand so Ive elected to Dog sit for Cassie my Daughters dog and our own a Westhighland Terrier called Skye Looking forward to that
just love dogs.
Will add more snippits as time marches towards our departure in June.....so I hope you,ll join me along the way. I will try to keep a day diary to record things throughout the Holidays so I really do hope you, ll enjoy it

Birdwatching in Fife

Fife is an excellent place in which to watch birds.This is partly because the region although fairly small by Scottish standards,covers a surprisingly great variety of habitats,almost all of which are easily reached by public roads and tracks. But it is also because Fife is surrounded on three sides by water. At migration time this increases the chance of interesting and unusual birds of passage,and provides a good sea-watching at all times of the year
Fife is predominately rural with small industrial belt lying in central and west fife.
The Kingdom is bounded to the North by the Tay estuary [ stretching from Newburgh out pasTentsmuir point and to the South by the huge Firth of Forth. At the Eastern tipof Fife lie 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 estuary at Guardbridge
by the Historic university and Golf Course at St andrews. The East Nuek of Fife is the collective term for the South East fishing Villages of Crail Anstruther Cellardyke Elie Pittenweem and St Monans.

Fife contains almost no Natural Woodlands of any size, with the two biggest areas of Trees being the Forestry
Plantations at Tentmuir and Devilla Forests. The long Fife Coastline is composed of both Rocky shore and Sandy Beaches. The Isle Of May lies 5 miles South of Crail at the Entance to the Firth of Forth.
There are wonderful coastal paths to follow throughout Fife....Ive Walked From Pittenweem to Anstruther Celerdyke and The Artist Resort of Crail and freturned by Bus....the Other Direction Ive walked from Pittenweem to St Monons past The Old Salting House.
Some wonderful Places In Fife believe me.

The Photographs attached show the coastline from Pittenweem to Cellardyke taken July 2009

Scotland July 2007
My Family in Scotland fall under the Mac Gregor Clan

Gaelic: Mac Grioghair Motto: S'rioghal mo dhream
My Race is Royal
Origin of the name: Son of Gregory [ Flockman ]

Pipe Music: Ruag Ghlinnie Freonine Chase of Glen Freonin

Perthshire:

A Story relating to Balquidder :

My son in law lost his Father when he was sixteen....on his Mothers Birthday in 2007 he made a promise.She was 80.
His father always loved going to Balquidder if you,ve ever visited that area of Scotland you,ll understand why... the Family scattered his ashes near the Loch/Lake at Balquidder
He asked if with my Grandson Shane we would mind going to Balquidder...find a Garden Centre purchase a tree and Plant it near the Loch/Lake.So we duely drove from Pittenweem to Balquidder along our route we found a Help yourself and pay Garden place...no one in attendance we found a small acer for 3:99 put a fiver in the Pot on the bench and left.
We drove around and long the loch there ...we came to a Buddist Retreat...with there own fields across from the retreat. I drove up the Drive explained to the Monk on duty what we where planning...he said plant the Rememberance Tree our ground opposite and lent us a spade.
We left the retreat crossed the road into the sloping field Walked through a little white gate and Shane went down a very steep bank near to the loch and planted the Tree....something done with lots of pleasure and love for someone we have or never will met Brodie,s Father.....I hope the that tree is Blossomed into something special I feel sure it as.

We went to the Church at Balquidder the Burial place of Rob [ Roy ] Mac Gregor his Wife Mary and his two sons.
Rob was the son of Donald MacGregor and its believed that Rob was born in the Mid 1650,s. He died in 1753 in his own home at the far end of the Loch from Balquidder.
Whilst believed to be Mac Gregor country in fact the Hereditary Clan are the Maclarens.
A beautiful tranquil place should you be in that Area of Perthshire pay a visit.............

Next:.. Information On Anstruther Pleasure Trips but thats coming in due course...watch this space.

Two useful links for anyone interested:
www.snh.org.uk
www.isleofmayferry.com

Its thought that the island name comes from the Norsemen who called the island Maa Oy, which is norse for Gull Island.
The isle of May is owned and managed by the Scottish National Hertage[ SNH ] for more information visit the above Link. Thanks.
An outstanding attractive Island surrrounded by prolific fishing grounds, which supports the varied sea - life which lives there.The Island is one and a half miles long and half a mile wide with marked paths leading all over the Island affording excellent views of Wildlife and their habitat.
The first human settlers arrived in Fife around 8,000 years ago and made good use of the Isle of May
for fishing and hunting seals,earlist human activity that as been found so far on the isle a piece of pottery dated around 2000BC, ancient flint arrowheads have also been found.
It seems long before Christianity the island had some religious significance, this serene austere island certainly lends itself to peaceful thoughts with names like:
KIrkhaven
Alterstanes
The Angel and the Pilgrim.
The Visitors Wildlife Guide:

Typically: APRIL- MAY - JUNE - JULY are the best times to view the sea birds particularly the Puffins.
Please Nlote: The Puffins normally leave the Isle of May
in early Augusts and return around early April.

Sea-Birds Breeding on the Isle of May:
Fulmars - Shag - Elder - Osystercathers - Herring Gulls

Lesser Black-back Gulls - Great Black-backed Gulls -
Kittewakes - Sandwich Terns - Common Terns -
Artic Terns - Puffin - Gullimots - Razorbills.

ANSTRUTHER PLEASURE TRIPS: Anstruther Fife

The Boat sails once a day on the Tide.

Tickets are available from the Kiosk at Anstruther Harbour. April to 31st September

Prices: 2010:
Adult...................................19:00 Pounds

Concession: Retired/Student....17:00 Pounds

Child.......................................9:50 Pounds

Family Ticket:..........................50:00 Pounds

Child under 3...........................Free

Telephone Numbers:

Booking Line: 01333-310054

Sailing Info Line: 01333-310103

E.Mail: info@isleofmayferry.com

Hope you find this helpful if you decided to visit the beautifully Isle of May sometime ....I really hope you do
decide too in the future.

I will try to research different Villages along the Fife Coastline and maybe add a snip here and there until
will actually leave for Pittenweem.

Cuin'a thig sibh air cheilidh"......So when are you coming

Hope to visit Elie...Lower Largo Harbour St Monon
naturally Pittenweem Anstruther Harbour Cellerdyke as far as Crail....Travelling also from Pittenwem by Car to
the Harbour at St Andrews

Important Notice *****
My Friend Ben
Wednesday afternoon Ben came with his good
lady from the Hospital........he told me the Holiday for him and his wife had to be Cancelled.....asking why!!

He told me He has progressive Cancer and will recieve an
Operation on the 31st May....then one week in Hospital then two months rest at Home. Absolutely shocked over the news made me feel sick We were all so looking forward to travelling to Scotland together....Lord Buddha willing maybe another Time

Naturally I will place a progress report in my Blog over my good Friend Ben.....I know that everything will come good.....................
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]]> Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/305-my-preparation-planning-birding-holiday-scotland-2010.html The Kleuter Uden Noord Brabant http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/304-kleuter-uden-noord-brabant.html Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:40:45 GMT Near my home here in Uden Noord Brabant we have a lake
[ meer in Dutch ] primarily used for Carp Fishing...but its open to the public and called the "Kleuter"

Its also a reasonable spot for Different bird sorts and Species
My Club Vogelwacht Uden [ Birdwatch ] have build a breeding area at the top end of the Kleuter and May June the Sandmartins breed there....Today the 12th April 2010 have taken some photographs of the General area that you might enjoy and it gives a better oversite of the Bird cover

The last of the Photographs show the Club built Sand Bank as a breeding place for [ Oeverzwaluw ] Sandmartins
Riparia riparia this area is closed off with no access to the public....to view the Sandmartins around the end of May beginning of June is from the bank opposite where the photograph was taken
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]]> Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/304-kleuter-uden-noord-brabant.html Photograph,s Noord Brabant http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/286-photograph-s-noord-brabant.html Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:01:43 GMT Photographs showing places in and around Noord [ North ] Brabant
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]]> Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/286-photograph-s-noord-brabant.html Geese and other things http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/284-geese-other-things.html Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:52:52 GMT The tagged geese are getting more and more interesting its now clear from Berend Voslambers from SOVON NEDERLAND that they really should have... The tagged geese are getting more and more interesting
its now clear from Berend Voslambers from SOVON NEDERLAND that they really should have three letters my photographs show just two XX and ZX in fact they should read TXX and TZX
Ive been directed to http://www.geese.org to continue the investigation but unfortunately there is a problem with my registeration which I hope will be corrected in due course
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]]> Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/284-geese-other-things.html What a day http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/209-what-day.html Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:19:27 GMT Friday 6th November Left My home town Uden Noord Brabant to travel to a small place called Urk in the Area from Almere Really enjoyed visiting... Friday 6th November
Left My home town Uden Noord Brabant to travel to a small place called Urk in the Area from Almere

Really enjoyed visiting Camera Nederland great shop really professional people very helpful...certainly will call again.

What was exciting was that I saw:
[1]...a Cormorant

[2]...Grey Heron

[3]...Mute Swans

[4]...2 Kestrals I think a pair !!

[5]...Buzzard

Weather :quite mild a little overcast some intermittent sun... What a thrill to see those birds close for the First time..............Bring it on ]]> Winterkoning http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/blogs/winterkoning/209-what-day.html