After the spectacle of the deer rut at Tatton Park last weekend, where else would I go this weekend other than Martin Mere to see the Whooper swans arrive? Actually, I was expecting to see the Bewicks' as they were reportedly on their way from Siberia but when we arrived we were told that the Bewicks' swans hadn't yet arrived but that the Whoopers were starting to come in from Iceland.

I made straight for the Swanlink hide as I know from past experience you need to get in there early to get a good place. I got set up, with a 70-200 zoom on one camera for the close up shots and the 300 with x1.4 extender on the other for inflight shots. I use a bean bag in the hide for support as I find a tripod too awkward and bulky.

There were only a few birdwatchers and few other photographers there at that time. My OH went off to look around the rest of the reserve whilst I played the waiting game again - I quite like sitting quietly in a hide and find it quite relaxing. AT this stage there were a number of Pinkfoot geese on the mere and a handful of swans but as the morning wore on, more and more groups of Whoopers started to arrive. Wonderful. To spot them on the horizon and track them as they come is an awesome experience.

By lunchtime, several hundred were in. It was a beautiful day with clear blue skies so visibility was far better than the past couple of years - last year it was very dull and drizzly and the year before heavy clouds and high winds made it very difficult for the swans as they were getting blown all over the place. This however, was perfect. By 3pm, when the wardens start feeding the swans, the place was packed - both inside and out. There were thousands of geese and swans on the mere, with more arriving every minute together with Shelducks, Mallards and all sorts of others all ready for a free meal. Inside the hide it was bedlam - not a free space anywhere with people standing 4 deep trying to see through a maze of spotting scopes, binoculars and cameras of varying sizes.

After the feeding frenzy, things quieten down again and we then had the benefit of some gorgeous late afternoon light which turned into a spectacular sunset made even more special by the groups of geese flying in and silhouetted against the amazing sky.

It was the first time my OH had witnessed this spectacle and even he seemed impressed. In fact, he bought himself a more powerful pair of binoculars whilst he was there so he could see more clearly so maybe I'll have his company on more trips in future.