A Gulp of Cormorants

There are quite often a few cormorants sitting on the rocks opposite Lower largo Pier, but yesterday there were a lot more than usual. I looked up the collective noun for cormorants and found two - a flight (but these weren't in flight) and a gulp which I rather liked..

Some of the cormorants were in the water suddenly diving out of sight.

At the other end of the rocky outcrop one cormorant spreading its wings also some gulls and oystercatchers.

Sharing a Rock

Last week on one day there were two seals sharing this low level rock just off Lundin Links; the next day there were five. They were balancing on the rock, in typical banana shape pose. First time that I've seen them at this spot; more usually on the rocks opposite the first fairway of Lundin Golf Course, but these were on the rocks opposite the swings on the Massney Braes.

Scurvy-grass

Common scurvy-grass (Cochlearia officinalis) growing between the rocks at the top of the beach in Lundin Links. It is not a grass but belongs to the cabbage family. The fleshy leaves have a high content of Vitamin C and before citrus fruits were available, in the days of sailing ships when voyages often took months, the leaves were widely used for the prevention of scurvy on board ship. In Gaelic it is called 'The Sailor' (Am Maraiche).

Scurvy grass flower with four sepals and four white petals forming a cross.

There are two other species of scurvy grass - Danish or early scurvy-grass (Cochlearia danica) and English scurvy-grass (Cochlearia anglica). The three plants hybridise readily so it is difficult to be absolutely sure of identification.

Swirly Rock Patterns

 Swirly patterns on one of the bright red sandstone rocks on the beach at Lower Largo.

Gabions and Coastal Erosion

At the foot of the Massney Braes in Lundin Links close to the swings There are some wire cages filled with stones (gabions - from Italian gabbione meaning big cage). These are being used to protect the bank from erosion. Gabions work by providing a strong support for otherwise weak areas of earth. Loose soil fills the spaces between the rocks and collects in front of the gabion, preventing more soil from being washed away.

Unfortunately slightly to the west of the gabions there has been a further small landslip.

In Lower Largo, east of the last house at the Temple, there are two other sites where there has been considerable erosion.

At one point a further layer of rock has been exposed at the top of the beach.

Heart and Head Holey Stones

There is a particular part of the beach between Lundin Links and Lower Largo, where if tide and sand conditions are right, can find stones with holes in them. These holes are naturally made by rock boring molluscs such as a piddock. This heart shaped stone is one of the most unusual that I've found.

Would have thought it impossible for a stone to look startled, until I saw this one on the beach. Note all the tiny barnacles on the top of the stone and the surrounding rocks.

The two holes in this little stone immediately suggest a face. A slight case of pareidolia.

Holes in Sandstone

Walking the beach at low tide and depending on how the sand has shifted often spot something that I hadn't noticed before. Yesterday, quite near to the rocky outcrop close to Lower Largo Harbour, noticed these flat red sandstone rocks pitted with holes. They are likely to have been made by a rock boring mollusc, such as a common piddock (Pholas dactylus) or more likely, since they are quite small, a wrinkled rock borer (Hiatella Arctica).

Also came across this small (10cm in length) piece of sandstone with some ring markings. Not sure what these have been made by - whether natural or man-made?

A Textured Stone from the Beach

I was attracted by the textured surface of this stone which I found on the beach at Lower Largo. It measures around 10 x 4cm and is around 5mm thick. I think it might be slate as it has several layers which seem to have worn away at different rates producing the patterns on the surface. 

Looking at the stone from this angle I keep thinking of  'The Scream' - a spooky case of pareidolia!!

Christmas Day Walk at Shell Bay

Looking towards Largo Law with a cloud cap.
After so much rain Christmas Day showed a marked improvement in the weather, so set off for a morning walk at Shell Bay, before coming home to wrestle with the turkey. Parked in the Fife Coastal Path car park just before the entrance to the caravan park and walked through the woods to the side of the Cocklemill Burn and then followed the path to the beach.

Passed World War II tank traps which are now covered with moss and lichen.

Oystercatchers were on the rocks below

The tide was in so couldn't walk out to Ruddon's Point but had to keep to the top of the beach.

With the stormy weather there was a lot of wood washed on to the beach including this serpent-like branch.

Lichen covered rocks.
At least three species of lichen growing on these rocks. I think that the yellow patches are yellow splash lichen - Xanthoria parietina and that the pale green tufted lichen is sea ivory -Ramelina silquosa.

The sun just beginning to light up the beach.

Looking towards Kincraig Point.

Looking towards Ruddon's Point.

High Tide and Storm Damage

A combination of strong winds and a high tide on Saturday caused considerable damage down the East Coast of Scotland. In Lower Largo much of the surface on one side of the pier has been washed away.

The waves  washing over Lower Largo Pier on Saturday afternoon.

The rocks opposite the pier nearly submerged by the waves.

High Tide on the Rocks

With high tide approaching sea birds congregeate on the rocks opposite Lower Largo Pier. Here there are cormorants including a juvenile with a white breast also herring gulls and a greatblack-backed gull.

Lichen Covered Rocks

Lichen covered rocks at Ruddons Point.

At least three species of lichen growing on this small boulder. The yellow patches are yellow splash lichen - Xanthoria parietina. I think that the large grey patch at the front of the boulder is black shields - Lecanora atra and that the pale green tufted lichen is sea ivory -Ramelina silquosa.

Seal on the Rocks

I think I've been spotted by this grey seal on a rock opposite Lundin Golf Course last weekend! Quite often see seals on these rocks. From the size and colour I think this is quite a young one.

Same seal in characteristic banana shape pose.

Under the Overhang

Breadcrumb Sponge Coating Rock.

At the beach between Lundin Links and Lower Largo there are a series of parallel rock outcrops which are inclined towards the East creating overhangs. These provide shelter for a variety of sea creatures. Best seen at low tide, many of the rocks in the lower shore are covered in breadcrumb sponge (Halichondria panicea).

Above is a sea lemon (Archidorus pseudoargus). This one was quite large, about the size of an actual lemon. Sea lemons feed on breadcrumb sponge. Can see the rosette of gills at one end.

 A cluster of eggs, probably whelk eggs.

A sea anemone (Actinia equina), tentacles withdrawn.