The wind and rain returned on the 1st, in a month that had it all from frost, snow on the high ground, bitterly cold winds and some good calm and warm days thrown into the mix!
So it was an unsettled river with the level constantly changing as the month progressed.
One job done early on this month was checking over the bees and putting the winter guard in place, the hive is strong and hopefully it will make it through the cold winter months.
As we moved into the colder weather it was time to sort out feeding for the birds over the winter months. Apples have been picked and stored, along with buying in fat blocks, sacks of mixed seed and peanuts.
Once again our thanks are passed on to Ted at Tayside Grain for sorting us out with more chaff, which is always enjoyed by the various birds in the harder times.
During some of the better weather bulb planting in the woods and around the river banks was the order of the day. A lot of spade work saw thousands of Daffodils, Bluebells and Fritillary bulbs dug into the ground at various locations. These should add a good bit of colour in the spring time and help enhance the biodiversity of the area.
On the 17th we saw the first of many Fieldfare and Redwing that were moving through the area, and it has been good to see the Kingfisher back around the Bothy again. We had the SSPCA back with us on the 19th, bringing with them six swans from their rescue centre at Middlebank. After getting back to good health these swans were released back onto the river. They were soon enjoying their freedom as they settled into their new environment.
By the 27th we had started putting out a little grain to the first of the swans returning to over-winter with us on the estuary. It was good to see one ringed bird in with them (green darvex ring LTH) that has visited us in the past. We also had a rare visit from a pair of black swans, one of which was happy to join in with the mute swans at feeding time.
The bigger tides at the end of the month saw a bit more activity on the river with a few coasters making their way up to Perth Harbour to ply their trade.
The month ended with a milder spell of weather and some spate coming down the system to keep the river level up a bit.
Dago
