The month started off with a duller cool dry day, but after that it was to be mostly pretty cold and wet over the next few weeks. The rain and snow melt was keeping the river level fluctuating between six and eight feet above summer level.
We had a Mandarin duck appear down on the estuary on the 3rd with us,
it was in with some Mallards but it was soon gone again by the end of that day. The 20th saw the end of another duck shooting season down on the estuary, but with all the poorer weather and a big river to contend with there were not many wild fowlers to be seen. We had a variety of jobs to do again this month; ranging from clearing blocked drains, to repairing bird boxes
and putting them back up for the birds to use.
The tractor and flail went over some reed mat that was left up on pathways after all the high water we’ve had, this helps to break it all down and tidy things up.
There was a load of old fence posts that were cut up to size and stored inside in the dry, ready for chapping into kindling and topping up our supplies.
An inside job that can fill in a bit of time during the poorer weather. On the 19th we had a coaster, (the EEMS SUN) heading up river to ply its trade at the Perth harbour, there are not the same number of coasters using the harbour now, but it is always good to see them close up as they pass you by on the river.
By the third week of the month the river level was back down below the four foot mark, the mercury had touched double figures and the birds were starting to show an interest in some of the bird boxes. We were starting to see the first of the Curlews flying overhead as they migrate from coastal areas back inland to their nesting areas.
The Oyster Catchers are appearing back in good numbers too, and the birds can be heard singing more in the early mornings. With February drawing to a close and the crocus and daffodils pushing through, it does feel like spring is just around the corner.
The month ended on a dull cool day and a river level abating just under six foot mark.
