Monday-- March 2, 2009
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.3     Water Temperature: 39

It's sort of ironic. I drove all the way to the mountains of West Virginia to do some X-country skiing and there was no snow. I come home to the lowlands and we get six inches. I think this means that I have to ski to my job at NIH.

I got home yesterday to find Paul Hagen here again. I've mentioned his skill and enthusiasm for fishing and birding before, he's one of the few people that can show me things on the island that I've missed. Yesterday he pointed out the 14 red-headed ducks feeding near the island. He has generously left a copy of Sibley's birding guide in the club house. He also had the great idea to have an ongoing bird list and fishing report posted on the website.

It is now March and our eagles should have laid their eggs by now so Paul and I were concerned when we didn't see any eagles near the nest. Then, just before dark, Paul spotted our resident eagles at the nest. Let's hope that that means we have an active nest.

Wednesday-- March 4, 2009
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.3     Water Temperature: 39

That incessant wind has finally stopped blowing but now there is a layer of ice on the river. These near record low temperatures have also kept me on my toes trying to keep my uninsulated pipes from freezing.

The bird songs a bit muffled this morning. Earlier this week, when the weather was warmer, I could hear the male cardinals trumpeting, but today is quiet.

Friday-- March 6, 2009
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.3     Water Temperature: 39

It looks like we're in for a spring-like weekend. I even saw the first signs of the blue bells poking through the mud.

Saturday-- March 7, 2009
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.2     Water Temperature: 43

Isn't it exciting when the seasons change, and this change has been dramatic. Last weekend we had snow and today I saw my first sure sign of spring, wood ducks in the trees!

Remember, it may be a warm day but the river is still deadly cold. Be careful out there.

Tuesday-- March 10, 2009
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.2     Water Temperature: 51

The weekend wasn't as busy as I thought it would be, but it was fun to see the members that did come out. It was nice to have that warm spell; I didn't have to worry about the pipes freezing and I didn't have to worry about overloading the circuits with the space heaters. There was a down side though. Since mine is the only bathroom I had to share it with the entire club. Just one big happy family I guess.

Carlos said he saw a dead beaver down by the dam. Judging by all the trees that were gnawed down it is possible that the beaver died from over eating. Either that or someone got very determined to save the last of the trees down there.

The blue bells are growing very fast but the invasive lesser celandine is also out in force.

Wednesday-- March 25, 2009
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.1     Water Temperature: 53

Still no progress on the renovation but I've been promised that work will resume next week. In the meantime there is no bathroom available for patrons.

Great veiws of the eagles on Sunday. It looks like the eggs are about to hatch.

Monday-- March 30, 2009
Water Level at Little Falls: 3.8     Water Temperature: 56

The river is at 3.8 now but it is predicted to go up to 4.3 by Wednesday.

I wish I could talk to you about the progress of the renovation but my mother once told me that if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.

The weather has not been very spring-like lately and if it weren't for the bluebells blooming all over the Island, I would swear that it was still winter.

Tuesday-- March 31, 2009
Water Level at Little Falls: 4.1     Water Temperature: 56

Once the construction project gets completed (I haven't given up hope yet), we have some big-ticket maintenance projects that need to be addressed. First of all, and most importantly, we need to install a new water-purification system, right now we have untreated water coming from the tap. Next, we need to get rid of the mountain of construction debri that has taken over the center of the Island. There will also be a lot of painting to be done, inside and out. We still have some major tree work to be done as well.