Valleyfield

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VALLEYFIELD LAGOONS

The lagoons are situated on the north side of the River Forth to the west of Culross and immediately to the south of Low and High Valleyfield. The lagoons are bounded to the east by the Torry Bay SSSI. Longannet Power Station (see Site Guide No. 4) is situated approximately 6 kilometres to the west. The lagoons, or reclaimed land ash pans were constructed in 1968 are used by the Scottish Power for the disposal of pulverised fuel ash derived from the production of electricity at Longannet Power Station. The lagoons comprise of an extensive area of land that includes areas of rough grass, scrub and young alder/birch plantation.

The ash pans are in active use and further pans are still being constructed and developed which will see the site in use well into the early part of the 21st century.

Due to the nature of the operational workings and site safety at Valleyfield there is no direct access to the lagoons areas. However limited access and viewing can be gained from the coastal pathway around the site.

Due to safety and security restrictions some of the site may be out of bounds to Club Members. However the areas that are accessible are of great interest.

ACCESS

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Scottish Power have laid down the following conditions for Club Members access to Longannet Power Station and Valleyfield Lagoons.
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Members wishing to visit the site must be registered, (via the Club Secretary) with Scottish Power, a list of registered members will be held at the main gate security office.
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To gain access to the site Members must stop at the main gate security office and produce their membership card. The security officer will validate your card against the list held, you will then sign in and be issued with a visitor’s pass, which must be returned on leaving the site.
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Scottish Power reserve the right to refuse or terminate a visit to the site due to operational and or safety conditions.
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Operational areas of the site must be avoided.
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All visits to the site must be carried out during daylight hours.
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Members must park their cars in the car park at the rear of the gatehouse. No vehicles are to be driven out onto the lagoon area.

Scottish Power and the Fife Bird Club will accept no liability or responsibility for any injury or loss to any member or other parties arising from the use of the site. Members using the site will be responsible for their own health and safety.

 

Species

As with Longannet the sites biggest attraction is in the number of gulls present particularly during the winter months, with species of white-winged gulls occurring annually. The lagoons are best for waders in late spring and the autumn, notable species of past years being Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Whimbrel, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper. Snow Bunting can often be found on the rough ground around the Lagoons during the winter months. Resident birds in the area include Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Green Woodpecker, Skylark. Extensive post breeding Sandwich Tern roost occur during July and August.

Sewage Plant and Reedbeds:

Perimeter track:

Parking

Access

Torry Bay SSSI:

Is to be found to the east of the lagoons and is the feeding area for many of the roosting waders

Bluther Burn:

Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Greenshank