Extending south of St Andrews as far as Largo Bay, Fife's East Neuk is particularly famous for its picturesque fishing villages. One of the area's finest assets, however, is its glorious coastline, home to a fantastic array of birds. The Isle of May also boasts the biggest puffin colony in eastern Britain, as well as a 3,000-strong grey seal population.
The south-east of Fife has a plethora of bracing coastal paths, including one to Fife Ness and another along the waymarked Fife Coastal Path, which traces the shore from Crail (bottom) south-westwards and is at its most scenic in the East Neuk stretc
h.
Species of wildlife in this area include grey seals, buzzards, kestrels, herons, curlews, terns, gannets, puffins, guillemots, razorbills, oystercatchers, redshanks, sedge warblers, the common blue butterfly (above) and small copper butterflies.
Where to see themKilminning Coast, Crail, Fife (Scottish Wildlife Trust, 0131-312 7765, www.swt.org.uk). Just over a mile from Crail, this locality is one of the best on the south-east coast of Scotland for viewing species such as oystercatchers, redshanks, eider ducks and sedge warblers.
Dumbarnie Links, Leven, Fife (Scottish Wildlife Trust, 0131-312 7765, www.swt.org.uk). A small area of dune grassland in the centre of Largo Bay on the south coast of Fife, it is part of one of the largest remaining dune systems in eastern Scotland. A wide variety of birds use the reserve, and there is an enormous diversity of invertebrate life including several butterfly species.
Isle of May, five miles east of Anstruther (01334 654038, www.nnr-scotland.org.uk). An important research centre for breeding seabirds, including puffins, guillemots and razorbills, while grey seals also pup by the isle in the autumn.
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www.visitscotland.com The full article contains 319 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
