What a morning again woke up to an inch of snow, luckily it didn't last very long, when we got to Belvide it had all gone and it didn't turn out to be a bad morning after all, although it was a bit cold.

As soon as we entered the Plantation at Belvide we heard Chiff-Chaffs and it didn't take long to see one. Great!!! our first summer visitor of the year. I always love to here the Chiff-Chaff as it tells you that spring is here and you've got all summer to look forward to. (So long as it isn't the same as last year, did we see the sun? all I remember is rain.)

We soon had another summer visitor over the water there were several Sand Martins. We walked round seeing a few Redwing (a winter visitor) on the way. It's not very often you can say you,ve seen winter and summer visitors on the same day.

We saw a mixed flock of Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails just before the Bryant Hide and a Red-legged Partridge in the field by the lane (this was another year tick) which makes 3 for today and 130 for the year (this is good going for me)

Below is a photo of a bird that is becoming a Belvide speciality the Tree Sparrow they frequent the feeding stations. We even saw one going in a nest box by the car park.

Tree Sparrow, Belvide 23/3/2008.

Other birds seen at the feeding stations include, Nuthatch, Willow Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch & Reed Buntings and the usual Robins Dunnocks & Pheasants, We had heard reports of Brambling but didn't see any.

There were plenty of wild fowl present, Goldeneye, Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Tufties, Mallard, Ruddy Duck and a male Scaup of the point.

A very enjoyable morning.