Thursday 21 November 2019

Ruddon's Point

I was in Scotland a couple of weekends ago, checking in on aged relatives. As I myself age I find myself less inclined to subject myself to Scottish weather, and more inclined to sit inside near warm Agas, but I did manage to get out for a short stroll at Ruddon's Point on the Fife coast. This is one of my favourite birding locations. These days I either bird Wanstead or somewhere in a different country. Trips to the coast, for instance North Norfolk, or perhaps the Naze in Essex, or one of the many great sites in Suffolk are all pretty much unknown these days. I should get out more, it would be good for me. And yet...and yet I am perfectly happy really. I feel no great need to go birding here there and everywhere. Some people I know are out every weekend, and why not. Do what makes you happy, don't do what won't. It's not that going to the coast would upset me of course, it's just that staying at home and pottering around the place also makes me happy and is the easy option. The warm option too!

Anyway we felt we should get out of the house, and as it is a nice easy walk I suggested Ruddon's. The path takes you from Shell Bay out to the edge of the pines and then to a small headland with a view back across Largo Bay all the way to Leven. It was early in the winter period, so the bay was not stuffed with birds, but with just binoculars I was nonetheless able to pick out two Red-throated Divers, three Red-breasted Mergansers, and a few rafts of Common Scoter and Eider. Around the rocks were loads of Oystercatcher and Redshank, and on the beach a few Turnstones pottered around as a Rock Pipit stood watch. Glorious.

On my local patch I have not seen any of these birds, and so it was extremely refreshing in multiple senses. So refreshing in fact that we hurried back to the car, were thankful for the heated seats, and then zoomed home to the warm kitchen for a hot lunch!

Meanwhile Ray the postman is still in shorts.


What Wanstead lacks

4 comments:

  1. Nice read. Postmen and shorts, it's a matter of principle.

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    1. Ray is tough as nails. I suppose you need to be if you're a postman in Scotland.

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  2. The local (lady) postie up here is still rather bravely wearing her sleeveless top, despite today's hailstorm. Weighing in at approx 25 stone, I'm really rather glad she isn't wearing shorts! (BTW, adults wearing shorts? That seems to be a decidedly southern phenomenon - somewhat akin to wearing jimjams in Asda - we just don't conduct ourselves in such a fashion up here in The Hebs). Sheep shaggin' yeah (obvs...) but shorts? Naaaaaaah bruv!

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    1. I am always surprised at the local Shetland kids out playing footie in the road in late September in just jeans and t-shirts, meanwhile all the visiting birders have about 8 layers on.

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