The rain may have fallen incessantly as we led a Prestige tour in Druridge Bay but a day list that included no less than 16 Mediterranean Gulls, Merlin, Peregrine, Otter and Harbour Porpoise was guaranteed to lift the spirits.

Most impressive location of the day was Cresswell Pond; now with extensive areas of mud, after the flooding of ten days ago cleared the sand bar that was blocking the burn. Since then Buff-breasted, Pectoral and Curlew Sandpipers have all turned up, along with a host of other wading birds. Now, if only the water levels could be kept like they are now…