It was a colder start to April with frost and dull cold days early on before it got a bit milder. The river level stayed fairly low up until mid-month when milder winds and some rain brought about a rapid snow melt higher up in the catchment area, this caused the river level to rise rapidly: almost ten feet in twelve hours! But a couple of days later it had peaked then slowly abated as the month progressed.
It has been a busy month for everyone involved in getting the Fishery and café ready for re-opening on May 1st. There has been a lot of work done to improve the access with the main entrance being widened and a lot of new signage being put up to keep customers right on our new road layout.
A stretch of the road from the railway bridge down to and including the new turning area were also tarred to enhance access.
The café is looking good after a spring clean, some decorating, and a few small changes to the interior layout.
Some hanging baskets were put up around the café by one of our old customers Jimmy Summers, these have added a splash of colour.
Outside around the Fishery the areas around the casting platforms have been strimmed back for the fishers and some grass cutting has also been done. The water level in the pond has been topped up and it has been re-stocked with more trout ready for the opening. It is all taking shape and it has been to good hear from so many different people who are all looking forward to using the Fishery and Café again.
During this month Dave Girling (Outdoor Education for PKC) was down with a group of school kids, and some kayaks, to use the pond for the day, it was cooler weather but everyone involved had enjoyed themselves and it was good to see all the kayaks out on the water. We have seen a lot of activity on the estuary this month with a lot of our migratory birds on the move.
Early on in the first week we had a couple of Black Throated Divers and a Great crested Grebe hanging about for a few days, then on the 15th we had our first Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows all returning on the same day! On the 16th the swallows and Sand Martins were piling through all day in their hundreds. As it warmed up a bit we had our first Butterflies on the 19th and our Bees were very active around the heather beds.
Our resident Mute Swans are sitting tight on a nest on one of the Islands at the Fishery, the Common Sandpipers were back on the 25th and the Osprey has been sighted taking fish from the river near the Friarton Bridge. The Wild Primrose, Cuckoo flower and Marsh Marigold are all coming through, and the blossom is finally coming out on the Wild Cherry and Blackthorn to add a bit of colour along the banks of the river.
Perth Harbour has been busier again this month with a few coasters making their way up river to ply their trade, with timber being one of the main cargoes. There was better weather and a dropping river level as the month ended.
