0830—1030  Humid with a threat of thunderstorms, which in the event failed to materialise. Met up with Dave P for a short circuit. Waders starting to materialise with 2 distinctly different Ruff /Reeve—the former in colourful black/ orange plumage. 6 Dunlin were feeding alongside the Blk tailed Godwits and c 30 Dunlin left the scrape northwards, presumably for the Sheppey roost. Flying E along Sheppey banks were two parties of Bar- tailed Godwitstotalling c 50 birds. A Greenshank was near the roosting gull flock and 2 Mediterranean Gulls were in the `mix`. A Hobby flew E and  Common Terns were plunge diving in in the flooding tide and a single Little Tern was in the creek. A single Rambur`s Shieldbug remains on the remnants of the Black horehound at the car park area. Swifts were ahead of the gathering clouds—and also around their breeding sites in the locale. Their departure looms!

Mike Roser