We entered February with the river level almost back to normal, and the frosty days continuing, giving us very good conditions for the diggers and dumpers that are working on the foreshore path upgrade job at Newburgh.
By week two we had a good snowfall, making life a bit harder for a lot of the birds as everywhere around was snow and frost bound.
More mute and whooper swans returned to the river, lapwing and oystercatchers came back in numbers too. There are also plenty teal duck and redshank about the waters edge. Goldeneye duck numbers are increasing around the harbour area, and towards the end of the month there were sightings of a peregine falcon and a red-throated diver further down river.
The flock of wintering swans received a boost to their numbers when the SSPCA released eleven ringed cygnets.
These were from Middlebank WildlifeCentre, where they had been looked after from a very small size.
A spell of good weather saw the foreshore footpath job at Newburgh almost completed, with the banks and verges being tied in and also 20+ nest-boxes put up along the route.
Things should green up soon with springtime just round the corner. Another batch of nest-boxes have also been made, ready to add to the riverside.
Some snow, wind and rain brought a wet end to the month, again putting the river level up.
Dago.
