Flooded meadows held hundreds of Wigeon and Black-tailed Godwits, a nice Spotted Redshank and a worm stalking Buzzard, all at close range. Our river cruise among spectacular numbers of gulls and waders like Dunlin, Sanderling, Knot, Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Curlew and of course, elegant Avocets, also netted Shag, Shelduck, Brent Geese and Slavonian Grebe. Chew Valley highlights included Bewick's Swans, Lesser Redpoll, Lapwings, shining in the afternoon light, and super views of a drake Red-breasted Merganser displaying to a disinterested lady Goosander. Sometimes even the birds are fooled by mistaken identity.