1300—1430  Blustery SW and hint of further rain. A short walk round part of E flood. Water levels were lower than of late, and muddy surrounds attracted returning waders.Tide was falling with much of the Redshank flock departing for salt water margins. 8 Curlew Sandpipers  were largely associating with the Redshanks; and a few score Dunlin were widely dispersed. One (still predominately black)  Spotted Redshank was with the Black tailed Godwits; 2 Snipe were at the marsh overhang; 1 Greenshank; 4 Golden Plover and 5 Ruff / Reeves were additionally located. Whimbrels were vocal and over- flying. A Common Sandpiper was in the creek margins;( there were 4 at South Swale earlier in the week). Moulting Mediterranean Gulls were prominent in the gull roosts; whilst Bonaparte`s Gull was typically `asleep`( grey mantle a subtly, slighter darker shade of grey than the accompanying Black-headed Gulls} and it was  very close to the road.  4 Buzzards were over Mocketts, a Turtle Dove `purred` in the W side scrub and Yellow Wagtails briefly showed at the reedy margins. Water Rails squealed  and went unseen. The Garganey duck continues to elude me , as do dawn Wood Sandpipers !!
Mike Roser