Wet weekend in Cumbria

Pouring with rain when I arrived at Walney Bird Observatory at 10.30 on Sat. 5th November. We caught a Blackbird, Song Thrush and a Dunnock. Birds present included a Sparrowhawk and Greenshank. Loads of Wigeon over the marshes. Got water in car electrics and had to be towed by a friend until the engine started again. But what is it they say about "All's well that ends well" (or is it "Every cloud has a silver lining", or even "It's an ill wind that blows no-one any good")? Whilst stuck and waiting for my tow I notched up a Cumbria "tick" - Hooded Crow, my 186th species since 26 October 2001.
Sunday morning was better, I dodged the showers for a walk out on Askam Pier. The rising spring tide had everything moving off the sands. Thousands of waders - Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Dunlin, Sanderling, Grey Plover and Ringed Plover. 100+ Pintail flying down the estuary, 3 Pinkfeet flew over. On the return had brief but clear view of a Black Redstart, only my second for Cumbria. Also very close views of a flock of Twite bathing in rain puddles on the track.