Tay Estuary Diary July 2015

July started with some dry cooler weather; but this was all to change as the month progressed, with some heavy and persistent rain seeing July 2015 going into the record book as one of the wettest on record.

During the dry spell we did manage to push on with the grass seeding round our new pond, and it was encouraging to see it beginning to show through by the end of the month.

Once again this month a lot of our time was spent on our routine grass cutting programme around the estuary; and tackling the never ending invasive species that spring up along the river banks. The Hogweed seems to be a bit more prolific this year but the challenge to overcome it goes on!

One of our tractors got a reprieve from the cutting for a few weeks after a wagtail decided to build a nest under the bonnet again this year, but the chicks were fledged by the end of the month.

There was a bit more activity along the estuary this month with a few canoeists being seen out and about travelling up and down river.

The harbour also saw a bit of trade with the odd coaster plying its cargo up to Perth.

There was a bit colour about the water side this month with the Rebeccia, Loosestrife, Bell flowers, Meadowsweet and Knapweeds all out in flower.

The colder wet weather has slowed up the bees and there has not been much activity around our hives as of late. On the river itself there have been a few later hatches of mallard ducklings going about

and the otter has been putting in an appearance now and again.

The river was finally settling back a bit as July drew to a close but the weather was not for warming up!

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