The river stayed at summer level in the first half of the month as we enjoyed quite a good spell of warm, dry weather.
A lot of our time just now is being spent on grass cutting, and tackling areas where Hogweed and Japanese Knotweed have got a foothold. It is also that time of year again when some of our cobbles get a bit of repair work done to them, and a coat of paint.
As the weeks move on the riverside is constantly changing with more new wild flowers coming out and adding another different splash of colour. This year the Rebeccia is prolific along the waters edge and the Purple Loosetrife is very strong in the top half of the estuary.
There was a lot of localised flooding in the Perth area in the second half of the month but everything settled back down again quite quickly. There appears to be a good run of fish on just now with plenty grilse and salmon being caught all the way up the system.
We are seeing a lot more Lapwing and Oyster Catchers back on the river again, and on the 26th we witnessed hundreds of Sand Martins travelling inland up through the estuary. It seemed to be very late for them to be arriving and took a few hours for the large mass of birds to pass through! It was good to see that of the eleven cygnets that hatched out to a pair of swans up near the harbour, ten have survived so far and are growing in size.
Leisure trips in traditionally built Salmon netting cobbles on the estuary have started now.
With half-hour and one hour trips available, setting out from the Willowgate Fishery with trips down river as far as Elcho Castle, passing under the ninety foot high Friarton Bridge, great views of Kinnoull Hill, the river and all surrounding flora and fauna.
There is also a trip up river around the back of the Moncrieffe Island, again seeing and exploring the Tay and it’s wildlife close up. Enquiries and bookings can be made through The Willowgate Fishery. The feedback has been great from those who have already taken a trip.The month ended with the river getting back to summer level.
Dago
