8th - The day began with persistent rain and only relented occasionally until the evening when the sun managed to show itself before disappearing over the horizon. Birding was difficult to say the least, with the morning being a washout. In the afternoon we braved the elements and visited the Salin de Badon. We made the most of the shelter afforded by the elevated hide in the middle of the reserve. Luckily, the weather had not dissuaded the waders from feeding. A flock of around 50 Black- tailed Godwits were calling and feeding on the main lagoon along with half a dozen Avocets, 12 Spotted Redshank (some in full breeding plumage) and a dozen Black- winged Stilts. A number of Snipe and Ringed Plover were feeding quietly along the edges of the lagoon on the exposed mudbanks. The continual flow of birds as they searched out new feeding areas mean't it was some time before we identified a Marsh Sandpiper elegantly walking around amongst the stilts and plovers. A sudden influx of Ruff must have numbered around 80 and some careful checking through the ranks turned up a gem in the form of an adult Pectoral Sandpiper ! The comparison between this rare Neartic wader and the multitude of Reeves around it showed just how alike these species can be ! We left feeling well satisfied with our day, only to find both Yellow Wagtail and Hoopoe amongst the bushes of the reserve on our way to the exit.