Blow out!

First day off ruined by winds as strong as I've felt for a long time. It was virtually impossible to walk any distance comfortably. Needless to say sighting were at a premium even in sheltered areas. Most seabirds will probably be in Denmark by now!

Curlew braving the gale

I see SLENDER-BILLED CURLEW has been removed from the British list...more here. It did stretch the realms of probability that the last remaining bird would turn up in Northumberland!!!

An excellent account of the sighting here