0745—1200 Blustery and cool; threat of rain. Slowly walked the E flood with Dave P; meeting up with Geoff B . A shallow tide barely lapping the base of the seawall. A Peregrine was on its usual lofty perch; Yellow Wagtails and Whimbrel were on the saltings ; Buzzard and Marsh Harrier were Sheppey-side and another extremely pale `chequered` Clouded Yellow defied a pic on the sluice saltings. Geoff provided eye-line to a young Water Rail; a Little Ringed Plover was with two Ringed Plover, and a further LRP was roadside. Two Brent Geese, bathing and preening ,could hardly be attributed early arrival status—over summering no doubt , but awaiting northern based brothers and sisters given today`s autumnal conditions! The Garganey was busy head down, dabbling, but occasionally showing the subdued head markings and pale bill spot. ( beware a Mallard with a strong pale head crescent ! ) Golden Plover numbers are slowly growing ; a predominately black Spotted Redshank remains with the Black-tailed Godwit flock. Far fewer gulls on the flood but included several Mediterranean Gulls. A Green Sandpiper was in the W side dyke. Dave P`s botanical nous provided Fool`s Watercress—although that was seriously trumped outside of Oare radar, as the rain curtailed play for the day.
Mike R