February 28th

Another Crail duck, but less often seen unless looked for is the teal. These are quite tiny ducks and that alone is enough to identify them. They are quite happy in very small ponds and I come across them in ditches and temporarily flooded bits of fields quite often. The most reliable place to see them is on the rocky shore between Fife Ness and Kingbarns, usually in a pair, looking small compared to the wigeon and mallards that they are usually with. At this time of year large numbers (although only cumulatively – the flocks are small) pass by Crail, following the shore on their way north. Some individuals obviously rest overnight on the sea and it can be quite disconcerting to see a flock of teal sitting quite far out among the waves out at Fife Ness among the early morning guillemots and gannets.

A drake teal – really handsome with a good view