Swans Nesting

For some years now mute swans have nested amongst the rushes on the small island in Birnie Loch and it looks as if they are going to do the same again this year.

Normally only one pair of swans nest on one stretch of water and the male defends the territory.

There were also a number of black-headed gulls, tufted ducks, pink-footed geese and the ever present mallards.

A pair of tufted ducks.

A pink-footed goose

Gaddon Loch Views

Clouds reflected in the water at Gaddon Loch, which lies adjacent to Birnie Loch and both lochs form a nature reserve in North East Fife. The reserve was created from old quarry workings.

There are good views of the Lomond Hills from the far bank of Gaddon Loch.

Swans at the little island in Gaddon Loch.

Geese at Birnie Loch

Thousands of pink-footed geese over-winter in nearby Loch Leven but I think that from the orange colour of the bill these are probably greylag geese. Photographed at Birnie Loch yesterday they seemed unphased by the proximity of the car park and people walking on the grass quite close to them.

Christmas Day at Birnie Loch

Although exceptionally mild it was a windy and blustery day, so a beach walk would have been a struggle. Trying to find somewhere that would be more sheltered, we plumped for Birnie Loch. The car park was quite busy so obviously others had the same idea.

These birds were in the middle of the loch, but I think they were goosander.

Looking towards the Lomond hills from above the neighbouring Gaddon Loch.

Autumn Fungi

Although I'm fascinated by the variety of fungi, I find it difficult to identify them even with a field guide. However, I think this is a shaggy ink cap. They are already starting to blacken.

This completely black toadstool was on the path surrounding Gaddon Loch. Really not at all sure what it is.

This one was at the side of the path in the Serpentine Walk in Largo. Maybe a russula species?

This fungus started off as a dome shape and then flattened as in the photo below. I thought it might be a parasol type but not sure.

Swans at Birnie Loch

 Swans and Cygnets at Birnie Loch

Birnie and Gaddon Loch

Heron standing stock-still on a small island in Birnie Loch. I love the colours in the reflections in this photo. Birnie and Gaddon Lochs form a nature reserve in North East Fife. The reserve was created from old quarry workings.

 Looking over Gaddon Loch to the Lomond Hills

Nice Autumn colour in a young viburnum tree.

Black-headed Gulls, Birnie Loch

Black-headed Gull, Birnie Loch

Birnie Loch is a nature reserve in North East Fife. It was created from an old quarry workings.

Black-headed gulls, now in Summer plumage with chocolate brown head.