With a Black winged Stilt having turned up at RSPB Marshside, Southport, two weeks previously, we thought that it would be a good place to start from. A full team met in Castleton on a nice dry morning and we set off for Southport. News that the bird had been seen first thing hastened us along. Upon reaching the coastal carpark a line of birders could be seen, is it going to be so easy we thought? Upon approaching the birders it became apparent that the Stilt was not being looked at. After a good look around this large area, still holding lots of geese and ducks that are likely to be heading north to their breeding grounds, a Tundra Bean Goose was found and enjoyed by us all. Then, a message came through that the bird was being watched from Nell`s Hide. We thought that that was strange as we were only 150 yards away from there and the hide looked deserted? After a few minutes of pondering, a new message came through to tell us that the bird was on a small pool on Crossens inner marsh. We all headed off at Twitch Speed in pursuit of this Mediterranean beauty and were soon admiring the bird at a distance of 80 yards, or so. Lots of pictures were taken of it and also around 10 Ruff, which included 5 males in their finest breeding plumage. With Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Curlew all in all a good assortment of waders. A trip through Preston calling at the old docks to see if any terns had arrived as yet was not good, we must have been early. Onwards to Clifton Marsh, near Freckleton to visit a good place to see lots of waders, due to it being so close to the River Ribble and the open sea. The expected Wood Sandpiper, another long distance wading bird usually found in Eastern Europe on route to breeding in Scandinavian areas, was waiting for us. The bird came very close and was enjoyed by all who watched it. Again a few waders around but, the bird that gave us the slip was a Jack Snipe! We were told that The Jack Snipe comes out of those reedy areas and walks up and down after an hours wait we gave up, because it didn`t. Next stop was to see some of the Cattle Egrets in the area but they had also done a bunk We had all enjoyed what we had seen so an early end to proceedings was made, arriving back home by 4-00pm. Dave O.