0830—1315 A grey, rain-swept start with a gathering SW was not a good omen; exercise whatever, so I headed for Conyer Creek. 7 duck Common Scoter came into the Swale, continuing W. A Buzzard struggled across the W flood; small parties of Avocets; Black-tailed Godwit and Grey Plover were on the shoreline. circa 2000 Wigeon were well into TQ around South Deep and Fowley Island although no sign for me of the Shorelarks, and confirmed separately by two familiar faces. However, some 30 mins into my return Danny C. reported Shorelarks returning to the seawall from Fowley—-c`est la vie ! The `diluted` Curlew (presumed male); a subject of correspondence four years ago from Murray W and myself with the Natural History Museum , was again in the saltings. Ten years from first report! Difficult to get a digi shot from distance and with the wind. At the E flood around HT, Dunlin and Teal numbers were impressive –c 1000 former and 600 latter. The Long-billed Dowitcher was feeding towards the SW aspect; Snipe were roosting with Golden Plover and Lapwings and there were at least 25 Ruff dispersed around the flood. The duck Goosander was preening amongst the other wildfowl but departed SW towards the creek/ponds.
Mike R

L to R: duck Goosander, `diluted `Curlew,
Common Seal / Mike Roser