Blithfield

Popped along for a quick visit to Blithfield I hadn't visited here for some years now but as a Crane had taken up semi permanent residence there it would be rude not to pop along and see it plus what ever else was around.

Near the causeway amongst the sheep were a number of Yellow Wagtails with the odd Pied thrown in for good measure I tried to teach Gem how to sneak up on them but as she is both 3 and wearing a bright red t-shirt my hopes were not high, but we still got pretty close.

Further along were a group of mixed waders a single Little Ringed Plover then a handful of Dunlin and Ringed Plover.

The Common Crane could be seen in the distant at the far end of the bay but with the heat and distance it would have been too far for Gem's little legs so it was back to the car and an ice cream.

Pennington Flash

I don't usually go after Gulls as they are not my thing and trying to age and the art of telling juveniles apart is a complete mystery to me.

But the Sabine's Gull is A) One I missed out on a few years back as the spot was not child's buggy friendly and B) For a Gull its quite good looking.

So off me and Gemma headed, the drive up was a doddle for once the M6 was not to bad, and my sat nav took me straight to the place (well close enough).
On getting there Steve Seal and another birder told me the bird was showing very nicely so off we plodded. Boy it was showing well just a few meters off shore taking insects from the surface.

I did mange a few bonus shots while we were there,

Then it was off to Markeaton Park in Derby for Gemma, I know it's not close but three year old girls don't have a very good geographical knowledge.