I was pleased to be offered a lift to Devilla Forest, Fife and back today with a four-hour gap in between. That allowed me enough time to walk through the forest and explore the north side of Peppermill Dam and adjacent farmland before returning via Tulliallan Castle. The forest had all the usual birds such as Coal Tit, Great Tit, Siskin and Chaffinch but I failed to find either Red Squirrel or Green Woodpecker, two of my "target" species. Peppermill Dam held large numbers of Canada and Greylag Geese plus a single White-fronted Goose of unknown origin. Other birds on the dam included Goldeneye, Goosander, Teal, Tufted Duck and Cormorant. One bird I had hoped to find was Grey Partridge and a check of the fields north of the dam proved successful with around fifteen birds found in a scrubby field margin. I inadvertently flushed the covey and after they had flown off, a single Woodcock also flew up and away. My walk then took me past the Keith Family Mausoleum, a neglected building and graveyard on a quiet knoll, rather spoiled by being next to a working quarry. I spent the next hour exploring the various other buildings associated with Tulliallan Castle including a watermill, an ice house, a wash house and the old parish church. Sadly, all but the church were in advanced states of disrepair and seemed well on their way to being swallowed up by the encroaching countryside. Notable birds seen or heard along the way included Raven, Nuthatch, Buzzard and Jay. A walk along the edge of Moor Loch added Wigeon, Mallard, Little Grebe, Coot and Mute Swan to the day list. Finally, I heard a Tawny Owl calling from the forest, a remarkable record given the time of day.