There was a cold dry spell of weather at the begining of the month that saw the river level dropping back and the trees starting to show their autumnal colours.
This was a good spell of weather that allowed work to progress on the riverside footpath between Newburgh and the boundary of Perthshire. Jobs on the pathway included litter picking, strimming, clearing areas ready for planting and making benches and picnic tables that will be added to the route.
By mid-month on the estuary we were seeing more movement of migratory birds, fieldfare numbers increased with the colder weather, the whooper swans arrived back, redshanks were seen in decent flocks and there were plenty geese overhead.
Once again the SSPCA were happy to use the estuary as a release sight, and swans, hedgehogs and a barn owl from their rescue centre at Middle-bank were released.
The released swans quickly settle in with the over wintering swans that were already in the area.
By the 23 rd we were having a stormy few days with gale force winds, when we witnessed 5 swallows that were making their way down the estuary.
As we got into the final week we had a covering of snow on the hill tops.
At Lymie fishing station the hailing was stripped back and cleaned up to its original condition to help to improve the habitat for migratory wading birds and the riverbank was also tidied up and graded to make grass cutting an easier task.
Newburgh primary school children proved an enthusiastic work force when they helped out on a day of planting at their local riverside footpath .
This was part of the Tay Regeneration Project that was also supported by Tay Salmon Fisheries Co. and the Newburgh Community Trust.
Native species of trees ( rowan, elder, bird and wild cherry ) and a thousand bluebell bulbs were put into the ground on the day. More shrubs were added over the next few days with hawthorn, blackthorn and dog roses adding to what had already been planted.
On the 29th a coaster, the Celtica Hav, run aground in the estuary while on its way to Perth with its cargo, it was safely floated off on the following tide.
Retired boat-builder Jim Davidson was at hand with his tools to do a repair to an old rowing cobble that needed a bit of attention after getting holed in the bottom.
The weather continued its cold snap as the month drew to a close.
