I am writing this in early February and watching yet more snow falling.

i was sitting in front of a warm fire reading a bird book and thinking about the spring.

Birds which do tell us how things can change are the three species of swan which occur wild in Britain. These are the whooper and the Bewick’s swans which are with us for the winter and the mute swans which are resident with us and very welcome they are.

There are lots of advantages of winter birdwatching in Britain and especially in Lancashire where we have inland reservoirs, flooded areas of old coal mines and a wonderful coastline.

Our area is a refuge for many birds which winter with us. However cold and miserable we think the snow and frost may be, our winters are mild compared with Scandinavia and northern Europe.

Birds from these places come to us in their thousands, including ducks, geese and the two species of swan. Between now and the end of March both Bewick’s and the larger and more common whooper swans will be with us.

One place where you will be sure to see both species is at the Wildlife and Wetlands Trust’s reserve at Martin Mere near Southport.

This is well worth a visit but don’t rush. Take all day over it because there are lots of comfortable hides, a shop and a splendid cafe.

I love birdwatching at dusk when the winter sunsets can be spectacular.

However beautiful these scenes are there, is nowt like having the sun at your back. Here the resident male swans, which we all love, are seen at their best. They tend to mate for life and are really devoted parents.

There is nothing so graceful as male swans sailing along our watercourses followed by their cygnets.

The parents moult their flight feathers at this time so they cannot fly. They do, however, have powerful swimming legs and can give intruders a nasty swipe with their wings.

The best advice at this time is to watch the swans from a distance and just enjoy the sight!