An evening trip to Benacre

On Thursday 11th September, I drove straight to Covehithe after work and was there around 5.45pm, the evening sun was strong and I met Stuart R walking back as I walked along the cliff, he confirmed the waders (Stints & Curle sands) were still there (I needed both for the year). The shooting had started at the farm and I was glad I wasn't Stuart walking back at that point. I entered the hide, opening the hide viewing points, I could see there were a lot of birds on the Broad, a pre-roost of Gulls lots of waders including c30 Black- tailed Godwits, c30 Dunlin and amongst there number were a small feeding group of 7 Knot one in summer plumage still in the more distant pool, also 4 Sanderling seen distantlky. The evening side light made viewing a little difficult especially with some of the waders at extreme long range. So estimate are only on those I can definitely ID so likely to be more. I could see at least 4 excellent Curlew Sandpipers feeding, slim shape slightly longer legged and white below with distive longer down curved bill separated them from the smaller dumpier Dunlin, when the waders flew I could see at least 2 white- rumps amongst them. Also further back were 2 diminutive Little Stints distinctive in being so petite and small. Also seen was a wp Bar-tailed Godwit an assortment of ducks and then all the Barnacles flew in at least 450. It was apparaent that at 6.45pm, the light suddenly detiorated as if the sun was being operated with a dimmer switch, my cue to leave. I noticed in one field the farmer had harvested the onions left out in rows to dry out. More c12 flew in as I walked back along the cliff and finally by the field just east of Church farm, I saw 4 low flying Swift feeding on insects. An enjoyable walk.