Introduction
The Kingdom of Fife, Kinross-shire and the Firth of Forth in east Scotland provide a rich array of landscapes and coastal scenery with a variety of habitats that offer some excellent autumn birdwatching. Iconic locations include Loch Leven National Nature Reserve and nearby RSPB Reserve (pictured above), the bays of Largo and St. Andrews, the rugged cliffs and headlands of Earlsferry and Fife Ness, the Lomond Hills and the Eden Estuary.
Join your Natural Links leaders, Dave Fairlamb and Graeme Ruthven, to experience the best of autumn birdwatching in this beautiful area of Scotland, with our accommodation base at the award-winning Dean Park Hotel, located in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
Dean Park Hotel
The Dean Park is an Award-winning 4-Star Hotel in the heart of Fife with two AA Rosette modern fine dining and seasonally inspired menus. All bedrooms provide a relaxing environment and a home away from home. Located on the outskirts of Kirkcaldy, the Hotel is easily accessible from the A92 and will be the perfect base for our birdwatching trips in the area.
Birdwatching
Loch Leven is a National Nature Reserve and is one of the most significant wetland sites in the UK. Famed for its wildfowl, huge numbers of Pink-footed Geese use the Loch as a night-time roost and feed in the surrounding area, along with Whooper Swans. The shallow waters hold flocks of Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye and Gadwall and there is always the chance of scarcer duck species such as Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Duck. It is also home to White-tailed Eagles, part of the successful East Scotland Sea Eagle Project.
The Firth of Forth is a haven for sea-duck, divers and grebes, viewed from the bays and headlands of Fife. All six species of Scoter on the British list have been recorded here, Common, Velvet, Surf, Black, White-winged and most recently Stejneger’s. Other sea-duck include Eider, Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, Greater Scaup and Red-breasted Merganser. It is also a wintering stronghold for Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe and both Red-throated & Black-throated Divers.
The intertidal mudflats of the Forth and the Eden Estuary provide rich feeding areas for wading birds, with several species present in internationally or nationally important numbers such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Knot, Dunlin, Grey Plover, Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper. Autumn passage waders can linger so possibilities are Little Stint, Ruff, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank.
Passerine flocks begin to build in autumn, using the woodlands, hedgerows and fields of the area. Siskins and Redpolls are often encountered on alder and larch trees, Common Crossbills favour conifers, Linnets and other finches are more readily seen in hedgerows and scrub and both Skylark and Corn Bunting frequent more open areas.
As well as the aforementioned White-tailed Eagles, there are several other bird of prey species to see including Peregrine, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, and the occasional Merlin, as well as nocturnal specialists, Tawny Owl and Barn Owl, plus day-flying Short-eared Owls.
Pink-footed Geese Long-tailed Duck
Provisional Programme
Friday 24 October
Guests arrive at Dean Park Hotel from 2pm Check-in time onwards.
Late Afternoon (Optional): Meet your leaders, Dave Fairlamb and Graeme Ruthven in the reception area of the Hotel at 3.30pm. We will then car-share to the nearby Loch Gelly Loch ( 8 mins drive) for a short birdwatching session before returning to the Hotel for approx. 5.30pm.
Saturday 25 October
All Day: Fife Coastal sites along the north Firth of Forth including Lower Largo, Largo Bay, Earlsferry, Elie and the headland of Fife Ness
Sunday 26 October
All Day: Loch Leven National Nature Reserve and Loch Leven RSPB Reserve, including Wetland and Woodland/Hill Trails.
Monday 27 October
Morning: Cameron Reservoir and St. Andrews Bay
Afternoon: Eden Estuary, Morton Lochs and Tenstmuir Forest/Beach
Tuesday 28 October
Morning: Lochore Meadows Country Park `Round the Loch’ walk (3.5 miles)
Alternatives for Afternoon: Either revisit Loch Leven National Nature Reserve or Free Time, the choice is yours.
Wednesday 29 October
If weather permits, a Boat Cruise on the Maid of the Forth which includes cruising from South Queensferry, under all Forth Bridges, past Inchgarvie Island and out towards Inchcolm Island.
Sailing 12.15 to 1.45pm
If NO Sailing, an alternative birdwatching session on the Firth of Forth, up to 1.45pm.
Please note that cost of the Cruise is NOT included in the cost of the holiday (currently £18 per person)
The tariff for Autumn Birds of Fife, Kinross-shire & the Firth of Forth
Double or Twin Room for 2 sharing is £1,075 per person
Single Occupancy of a Double Room is £1,175 per person
The price includes VAT, and covers:
• 5 night’s accommodation at Dean Park Hotel
• 5 x Full Scottish Breakfasts and/or Breakfast Buffet
• 5 x 2-course Evening Meals
• 4 x Packed Lunches (Saturday to Tuesday)
• All Birdwatching/Nature guiding by Natural Links
• Evening Presentations & Quizzes by Natural Links
Not included in the price:
• Boat Cruise on the Maid of the Forth (currently £18 per person)
• Entrance to Loch Leven RSPB Reserve (free to RSPB Members)
Terms & Conditions
Payment Schedule
Deposit of £275 per person to secure booking and payable on receipt of booking confirmation from Natural Links.
Outstanding Balance to be paid by 31 July 2025
Cancellations
Due to special group rates secured with the Hotel and Natural Links, cancellations can only be made up to the day before the outstanding balance is due, 31 July 2025, with £275 deposit per person either returned or used as credit towards future Natural Links events/holidays bookings.
Changes to Itinerary
The itinerary stated above is provisional as factors outside the control of Natural Links may result in changes to the itinerary.
Travel in Fife, Kinross-shire & Firth of Forth
We courteously ask guests to car-share for travel around birdwatching sites during the holiday period.
