Started at the RSPB car-park and a good look for the Black necked Grebe that has been resident for some time now. A lot of Tufted Duck, 33 to be precise, along with 23 Shoveller and 16 Pochard. A lot of Coot and double figures of Dabchick as usual.On to Ski Pool and 30 plus Shoveller, good numbers of Teal and Coot. A Sparrow hawk wheeled overhead and a Kestrel hovered as I continued along Creek Road to Flamingo. I met a couple of local birders who told me they remembered as children seeing Flamingo on the pool named after them, which judging by the gentlemen I spoke to must have been 40 odd years ago. As I was demonstrating the benefits of a telescope I was able to show them a distant Marsh Harrier.On the far south eastern corner of Flamingo, there were about 150 Avocet and about the same Blacktailed Godwit huddled again the wind, as well as good number of Shoveller, Teal and 80 plus Mallard. In amongst them were several Pintail, including at least 7 drakes, such a beautiful bird.A batchelor party of 5 Goldeneye were out in the middle, associating quite freely without the complication of females.At the top northern end of Flamingo things really hotted up with numerous Lapwing, 43 Curlew feeding on the mud, 11 Ringed Plover scurrying up and down the waterline. 80 or so Redshank spread along the waters edge intermingled with 5 Grey Plover, how quickly they lose that so distinctive summer breeding plumage, and about 2,000 Dunlin, stretched out 10 deep for 30 or 40 metres.I watched them for about 10 minutes as several were always on the move jockeying for position themselves.Then the inevitable happened, up they went spooked by whatever and for a minute or two they wheeled, turned and danced their aerial ballet for me, until a 1000 went off towards the river and the remainder dropped down from whence they came. You know that takes some beating ! Then back along the Dartford track to the car park. As I prepared to leave a Charm of 18 Goldfinches kept me entertained as they fed off the Teasel, by now the Black neck had reappeared.As I drove off site I thought I would have a quick look at the privately owned Buckland Lake and it was well worth it for there were 3 male and 2 female Gadwall, a much under rated duck in my book and a male Ruddy Duck.So as always Cliffe had delivered .Okay, so no Hen Harrier today, but maybe tomorrow, who knows ?Mr Dave Saunders provided this account of his visit to Cliffe. Much appreciated. Mr Alan Johnson also managed to spot a Merlin later in the afternoon. Thanks chaps.