There are restrictions on when the hide can be used.
These restrictions are primarily during the Pheasant shooting season, 1st
October to 1st February, when the estate holds several pheasant
shoots over this period. During this period you may notice several active
pheasant feeding stations in the woodlands. These must not be interfered
with in any way.
To hold a shoot the Estate requires that the woodland
remain undisturbed for at least two days prior to and on the day of the
shoot.
The Estate will provide the Club with the dates of the
shoots and these dates will be posted in the Hide. However please note that
these dates may change. A marker, red for no access green for access may
be posted at the roadside entrance (i.e. green gate), which will provide
members with an easy check on the availability of access.
Therefore during the Pheasant shooting season 1st
October to 1st February it is essential that any member wishing
to visit the hide check the colour of the marker before entry to the site.
No visits are to be made to the hide during this period whilst the red
marker is displayed.
Members should note that any infringement of the
prohibited access days may result in access to the hide during the pheasant
shooting season being withdrawn.
There is no access on or to the Curling Ponds or green
hut, or adjacent field.
Access to the hide is via the marked pathway only,
members are not to leave the pathway and wander through the woodland. Noise
levels should be kept to a minimum when approaching the hide so as to not
disturb birds along the loch edge.
Although the Loch has been well watched in the past, due to
access constraints and the lack of viewing facilities it is considered that
observations at the Loch have not reached their true potential. The Hide is seen
as an important step forward in achieving a fuller coverage of the breeding and
visiting species and members are urged to comply fully with the access
arrangements and not to jeopardize future use of the hide.
Notable species of the past include Glossy Ibis, Ring-necked
Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Mediterranean Gull (1st record for
Fife), Great Reed Warbler and Woodchat Shrike.
Any problems/defects with the hide and access should be
reported to the committee immediately.
Hide Entry: A Fife Bird Club Hide Key is required for
access, (note: the same key also opens the Fife Ness and Edenside hides). A Hide
Key can be purchased from the Club Membership Secretary for a one off payment of
£5.00.
Parking: Unfortunately there is no parking available in
the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the site. The nearest parking is in
the village of Kilconquhar itself either in the car park opposite (east side) of
the Kinneuchar Inn or safe and courteous roadside parking within the village
itself. Parking on the main road or pathway adjacent to the site is unsafe due
to restrictions in traffic flow and pedestrian access and is expressly
prohibited by Fife Regional Council under the planning permission for the Hide.
There is no parking allowed in the adjacent field or entrance to the field.
Route to hide: The route from the Curling Ponds entrance
gate to the hide is shown thus ------- For your own safety and to avoid
disturbance to the birds and animals please keep to the pathway. Please remember
to shut and secure all gates used.
Please approach the hide quietly and with care to minimize disturbance of the
birds
Toilets:
The nearest Public Toilet facilities are at Ruby
Bay car park, Elie.
Telephone: The nearest public telephone is in Kilconquhar
(see map).
Sightings: A logbook is provided in the hide, please
enter details of your sightings together with the date and the weather
conditions. Please also submit your sightings with your annual records to the
County Recorder. It would also be appreciated if news of uncommon or unusual
species seen could be passed, as soon as possible, to a member of the committee.
This will enable news of the bird(s) to be passed out to the membership via the
Club Grapevine. Details of your sightings would also be welcomed by the Club
Newsletter Editor (Allistair Todd: 01592 267912, email allister.todd@btinternet.com
or Tom Moodie 01337 828842) for inclusion in the Recent Reports, thank you.
Posted on the wall in the hide is a list of species that have been recorded from
the hide, Stuart Rivers (Tel: 0131 661 2661) would appreciate being
notified of any additional records.
The Fife Bird Club and Elie Estate will accept no liability
or responsibility for any injury or loss to any member or other parties arising
from the use of the hide and area.
© Fife Bird Club ~ November 2005
Species recorded at Kilconquhar
during 2007
a suitable access route. The Club received
grants from Fife Council, the Gillman Trusts and SNH towards the costs of
building the hide and we are particularly grateful to them for their assistance.
The Hide was officially opened by Frank Hamilton OBE and Ian Darling, two of the
Gillman Trustees, on 15th April 2000.