28 February, 1, 2 March

28 February

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S103923328

weather:  9 am 8C wind ESE 7, 12:30 m 8C wind ESE 8, cloudy

tide:  11 am 3.5m, low, turning

1 March

eBird data: https://ebird.org/checklist/S103987149

weather:  9 am 8C wind calm, 1 pm 11C wind SE 12  intermittent showers, sunny

tide:  11 am 3.2m, turning upward

2 March

eBird data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S104043157

weather:  9 am 6 C, wind ENE 4,   12:30 m 8C wind ENE 15  cloudy

tide:  10:30 3.2m falling

28 February

Back to the Estuary after my time in Cluxewe.  Ominous weather after heavy rainfall during the night.

A truly wonderful welcome home:


The path to the Mills Road trailhead has been cleared, after 5 months of an actually scary obstacle course.



I know I wrote about this, earlier, and several of us harassed the city and the Nature Trust about the obstacles to no avail until, apparently, the week before last.  One of the other regulars to the Estuary said she was here when it was cleared and it was indeed the Nature Trust who finally cleared it.   It definitely makes the walk in easier.

There was ample evidence of the recent rain--paths were boggy again, and the river was high.




There was new erosion along the riverbank.  No way I'd walk along this bit of what had been the path!


I remain puzzled at the eagle nesting situation.  By this time last year, there were eagles on two nests across the river, but I've not seem them yet.  This may be the beginning of a nesting, and people tell me they've seen the eagles mating, so no doubt the nests will be occupied.  I'll continue to monitor.


1 March

Intermittent weather, but beautiful. 

There was a very handsome heron at the far end of the merganser pond (no mergansers)




 I travelled a slightly longer than usual route, hoping to find nesting owls (not yet), but a nice walk.

The light was incredible.


If you click on the above photo to enlarge it, you'll see new leaf buds on the huckleberry bush and raindrops like diamonds.


I really love this season, when the tiny leaves start to form.

Emerging from the woods, I saw a young merlin observing the fields.




The tides have been low, and there are beginning to be big flocks of gulls congregating offshore--possibly a sign of approaching herring spawn.



2 March

A relatively quiet day, birdwise.  Wet and rather windy.

Again, a low tide, with a fine view of the Straits.


The river is high, and swift.


Brooming tomorrow.  The weather looks hopeful for the coming week, so more to follow.




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