Clear calm skies and a rise in temperatures brought about fly hatchings and butterfly sightings. There are cuckooflower, summer snowflake and marsh marigold out in flower at several locations on the estuary already.
The river is running very clear, and has slowed right up. A lot of the wintering swans are starting to move on, most of the whooper swans have already left, and some of the resident swans are getting territorial at nest sights.
Three days into the month gave us our first sighting of the osprey this year, it was seen taking a small fish from the Tay just above the mouth of the river Earn.A later arrival this year on the 9th was our first swallow, followed by sand-martins on the 11th, who are showing an interest in the banking that was made as a nesting sight for them. Jobs on the riverside this month have included planting hundreds of snowdrops along the Newburgh to county-burn footpath, the same area was cleared of rubbish in an extensive litter pick which resulted in almost two full skips.Also started was repair work to flood-banks at the top end of the estuary.
Again tray loads of snowdrops were planted further up the estuary.Last year’s primroses all seem to have struck and are doing well at various locations.
A warm spell at the end of the month saw a lot of orange tip butterflies and the odd small copper.
The smolts are dropping back down the system sparking frenzied activity amongst large flotilla`s of goosanders and cormorants.
The month ended, with the river dropping back to near summer level.
Dago.
