The field work was carried out at low tide on the 12th February 1990. Five sample stations were established, three of which were located in an area where Shelduck are known to congregate and two in an area they usually avoid. In addition to permanent markers, position fixing was achieved using both fixed lines of sight and compass bearings on prominent shoreline features. At each station two replicate biology samples and a sample for grain size analysis, organic matter and Calcium carbonate determination were collected. Biological sampling was carried out using a square stainless steel 0.1m2 corer which was pushed into the sediment to a depth of 10 cm. The quantity of sediment extracted was thus equivalent to a day grab sample.