On a gloomy morning around thirty members assembled in the car park and because of the number split into two groups that circled the reserve in opposite directions. As the tide was low waders were spread thinly across the harbour mud. Small numbers of curlews, redshank, ringed and grey plover were noted while distantly in the far channel a pair of red-breasted mergansers and the first of many pintails and shelduck could be identified. An early highlight was provided by a peregrine that settled on the mud allowing good views. The main lake held numerous Brent geese, lapwings, black-tailed godwits and a dozen avocets while a single roosting snipe was almost invisible in the reeds. Two bearded tits were also seen skulking at the bottom of the reeds but offered only intermittent views. The early part of the circuit produced a spectacular moment as a sparrowhawk sped across the marsh clutching an unfortunate starling. A couple of stonechats posed on the vegetation but it was not until the approach to the Deeps that more significant numbers of passerines were found including a few greenfinches and goldfinches accompanied by a small flock of linnets. On the harbour the rising tide was bringing waders closer to the shore particularly hundreds of dunlins strung out along the shoreline where a few turnstones could also be seen. In the channel several more red-breasted mergansers appeared in the company of great crested grebes, both species repeatedly diving to enjoy the bounty the tide was bringing within reach. The Deeps were rather quiet holding a few shovelers while the fields behind were being grazed by numerous wigeon, Canada geese and many more Brent geese. Interspersed among them were more curlews and black-tailed godwits. A long-staying barnacle goose was seen in the meadow close to a farmyard goose with which it reportedly has a committed relationship! The area by the information hut held few birds but provided new sightings with three little grebes, a wren, a kingfisher and a Cetti’s warbler while on the walk back across the marsh two common gulls were seen. The return visit to the main lake was rewarded by much larger numbers of species embarking on their high tide roost included three greenshanks and a more viewable snipe as well as many more redshanks and avocets. A successful day produced a species list of 53.