Set off first thing this morning and spent a cold but sunny morning exploring Baron's Haugh. Lots of birds about including Gadwall and Pochard in full breeding plumage and Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Mallard and Teal all in eclipse. Lots of exposed mud was good for 2 Snipe, 2 Ruff, a Water Rail (sniping at the Ruff) and hundreds of Lapwings. Also there were two smaller waders (about 2/3rds the size of the Ruffs, with straight bills and longish legs. One was very similar in coloration to the Ruffs, the other a little more monochrome. Keeping an eye on the birding grapevine in case anyone else sees them and files a report.
Nice to see the wardens at Baron's Haugh have an eye for plants as well as birds, with late-summer interest being maintained by flowering Honeysuckle, Michelmas Diasy, Herb Robert and Red Campion, fruiting Teasel and a whole meadow full of thistles (which attracted at least 6 Bullfinches).
Back home, a new record of 11 Magpies were ransacking my bird feeders. However some modifications made later today seem to have outwitted them (and the Grey Squirrel), for now at least. Other birds in the garden were Robin (first here), Dunnock, Blue Tit (2 together) and Great Tit (4 together - a record).