I've just received this report from Jason Anderson who spent 6 hours at Cliffe this morning:
I had a good stint at Cliffe this morning from 6 to 12. Migrants very much in evidence, with over 10 Green Sandpipers on the canals and Black Barn (flying about a lot, so couldn't be sure). A pair of Grey Plovers were a surprise on the westernmost Boatwick/Black Barn Pool. 2 Snipe on Black Barn. Female Marsh Harrier did a nice turn over the reserve at 07:30am. At least 3 pairs of Stock Doves were displaying over the Car Park end of the reserve at 06:00am. Other waders: 240 Avocet on Flamingo at high tide. 175 Black-tailed Godwits on western Boatwick Pool a little later, another 30 on Black Barn. Est. 40 Lapwing on islands on Elf and another 40 on Radar Islands. 15 Dunlin on western Boatwick. 1 Curlew on Radar. 3 Greenshank. 3 Ringed Plover (at least one juv) on Flamingo flats, another 4 on western Boatwick, and another one on Radar flats. Several Common Sands, at least 4 pairs of Oystercatchers (also moving about a lot). Redshank were most numerous on Radar Islands - difficult to estimate, but I'd guess 40+ on whole reserve. No sign of the Spotted Redshank on the sightings board from yesterday. Wildfowl included a flyover by Gadwall towards the quarry lakes, at least 12 Pochard on Elf/Kingfisher Pools. 6+ Teal on Black Barn/Boatwick, already into eclipse. Est. 12 Great Crested Grebes including juveniles on Elf, Radar & Flamingo. Plenty of Shelduck goslings about, and quite a few Tufted Duck on Elf. Gulls included at least 2 Yellow-legged (one roosting with others on Pontoon Flats, another by sea wall, Herring Gull, both Lesser and Greater Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls all roosting at high tide on Pontoon Flats. No Med Gulls on this trip. Upwards of 30 Little Egret estimated on reserve, and at least 5 Grey Herons, most of which were juveniles.Common Terns - 3 seen overhead at various locations, possibly same bird/pair. Family of Green Woodpecker between Car Park and viewing mound. 1 male GS Woodpecker calling just below viewing mound. Female/juvenile? Reed Bunting between Car Park and mini roundabout. Only one Blackcap and one Willow Warbler calling, both along 'Nightingale Trail between Elf and Radar. No Nightingales heard or seen. Lots of Whitethroat juveniles and family parties. Very dark Chiff Chaff (possibly northern race?) between Car Park and viewing mound. Several 'huiit' calls indicate that these guys might already be heading back home to Africa. Reed Warbler both on reeds west of Flamingo and at usual spot along drainage canals on north and east of reserve. Heard but didn't see Sedge Warbler. Pair of Stonechat up by sea wall. Brief flyby of single male Linnet, alighted briefly to call. 1 Kestrel seen hunting - too distance to sex or age.
A good morning's birding, all in all.
Many thanks Jason!