Many properties are under threat from flooding

To avoid disturbing the species who spend the winter there, Fife Council has agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage to delay work on coastal defences until April 2001.

Launching the scheme, Environment Minister Sam Galbraith said: "The threat to Scotland's coastline from rising sea levels is another impact of climate change.

"Those who live in areas under threat are well aware of the constant struggle to protect property from erosion by the sea.

"I am particularly pleased that the construction of the schemes will not only protect homes and businesses in Fife from the threat of erosion, but will be carried out in a way that will minimise disturbance to local residents, both human and birds."

Flood chaos

The Fife scheme is the latest in a line of government measures designed to end the flood chaos which has brought misery to thousands of people in Scotland in the past few years.

An extra �27.5m for national flood prevention schemes was announced by the executive last week, with �8m earmarked to bolster defences around the River Kelvin in Kirkintilloch near Glasgow.

This added to a further �5.2m for flood prevention measures in Scotland announcement earlier this month by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

However, the system for paying out flood prevention money to local authorities was criticised by Edinburgh City Council as being too bureaucratic after the recent problems caused by heavy rain.