Frost!

 Ice crystals round the little waterfall between the two paths in the Serpentine Walk.

Frost at the side of the Kiel Burn in Lundin Links.

Heron at the Bridge

Heron perched on a branch of a willow tree at the bridge over the Keil Burn in Lundin Links. It seemed quite unfazed  by the constant stream of traffic just feet away on the road.

Natural Ice Sculpture

 Very cold and frosty weather lead to these ice formations on the Largo Burn in the Serpentine Walk.

There were also icy patches on the Keil Burn

Dipper at the Keil Burn

Looking from the bridge on the main road, spotted this dipper flitting about the rocks in the Keil Burn. It settled on a small rock, close to the pipe that goes across the burn. I have seen them here before but never close enough to get a photo.

The white throat and bobbing motion make it instantly recognisable.

Grey Wagtail at the Keil Burn

Looking down from the road bridge over the Keil Burn in Lundin Links spotted this grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) on a boulder in the burn.

It had an insect in its beak and was showing characteristic behaviour, continually bobbing up and down and wagging its long tail.

Hairy Yellowish-Green Caterpillar

On the top of the bridge crossing the Keil Burn in Lundin Links noticed this strange looking caterpillar. Not sure of the identification. The only photo in my field guide that it looked remotely like was  a pale tussock moth caterpillar. However, the guide says that it's range does not extend to Scotland. I suppose that, perhaps, with the warm summers it's coming further north.


The hairs of the pale tussock moth caterpillar (Dasychira pudibunda) are an irritant and can cause a painful rash.

Keil's Den Bridge Rebuilt

It's been a while since we walked up through Keil's Den to the bridge at the top which carries the road over the Keil Burn. The last time was in 2012 and at that time part of the side of the bridge had collapsed.

The bridge has now been sympathetically rebuilt in the same style and there is a plaque on the bridge to mark the date in 2013.

A picture of the spot taken in 2010. Unfortunately the seat is no longer there. I think it simply rotted away. It would be good to see it replaced as it's a lovely spot.

On the way home, looking back to the den, with Largo Law in the background and cows peacefully grazing in the meadow.

Cat on a Pipe

Cats generally do not like water, so surprised to see a cat walking across the pipe that goes over the Keil Burn in Lundin Links. One slip and it would have been in the water but it got safely to the other side of the burn. Just shows how sure-footed they are.

After the Deluge

Debris in the Keil Burn in Lundin Links after heavy rain swamped the East Coast of Scotland last night.

Reflections in a flooded field.

 Gulls alight in the lake that has formed at the bottom of a flooded field between Upper Largo and Lundin Links.

 Flooding on the road between Lundin Links and Upper Largo.

Flooding in the fields and on the road.

The Largo Burn in Spate in the Serpentine Walk.

Foam covers the beach at Lower Largo

Three boats swamped at Lower Largo harbour.

Yet More Rain!!

After another 48 hours of rain the Keil Burn is in full spate this evening. The water was rushing over the pipe in the middle of the photo which was taken from the bridge in Largo Road in Lundin Links. Normally the water level is around a foot below the pipe. 

Note the pink flowers of the Indian Balsam on both sides of the burn (Click to enlarge photo). Indian or Himilayan balsam is a native of the Himilayas. It has spread rapidly in Britain since its introduction to Britain as a garden plant in 1839. It particularly favours stream  and river banks.

Swans Nesting at Lower Largo

The pair of mute swans that have been resident in Lower Largo since mid-March now appear to be nesting just North of the harbour on the rocky banks of the Keil Burn. One or both swans have been at this spot for the last few days. I fear for them as it seems rather a public, exposed place. If we had heavy rain and the burn was in spate, or there was a very high tide, I think that the nest might be under water. Hope I'm wrong.

Click photos to see larger image.