Well we had a rude awakening this morning 3 to 4 inches of snow. It had been forecast but it was still a shock to the system to see it.

We decided to go to Belvide again this morning calling in at Stubbers Green en route, we saw 2 Swallows here flying over the boating pool (Fabulous a year tick). At Belvide it was a little bit surreal hearing all the Chiff-chaffs singing in the wood with all this snow on the ground.

There had been Willow Warbler and Blackcaps mentioned yesterday but we didn't hear any today.

The highlight of the day were 300+ Sand Martins over the water there were also one or two swallows with them, we didn't see the House Martin though which had been seen with them.

Walking round we saw 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers displaying, flying out of the tree flying round a bit then flying back into the same tree.

Whats the difference between a Coot and a Moorhen? A Moorhen is a black & white water bird with a red and yellow beak and a coot is something you put on in winter to keep you warm when its cold.

I thought I'd put this in as I said to Steve Nutall we'd seen a Coot on a nest 2 feet above the water, on the way back I had another look and it was a Moorhen and not a Coot.

 Moorhen on nest

Reed Bunting

There were a few Reed Buntings present and a small flock of Meadow Pipits flying round. It was a lovelly morning so long as you kept in the sun, we've had better days birding at Belvide but it never disapoints we always enjoy it there.