Heard about this obliging Nightjar perched on a couples backgarden fence in Codnor!! Couldnt wait to finish work to get over to see if it was still there. Right at the end of the garden it sat very still (even when people were no more than 10feet away from it). A juvenile bird, it only made the smallest movements and was in many respects the perfect model - if not for its amazingly intricate, complicated plumage pattern! I have had distant murky views of Nightjars in the past so this was a great opportunity to study one. Primitive looking bird that seemed to me to be a cross between a frog and a moth! The lady who's garden it was perched said it would be off migrating South on any clear night.....then again it could stay around for a few days yet.
On getting this sketch home I tried to repeat it in colour though i feel i havent quite got the colours right. i may have to go back for another look.

2 Black-tailed Godwits behind a screen of Weld. Attenborough Tween pond.

While the Godwit were in hiding I had a go at this group of Black-headed Gulls asleep.

Quick movement sketches.

Silver Y moth that was attracted to the kitchen light. I released it into the back garden.

Crows enjoying the strong winds around Wollaton Hall's turrets. They seemed to be drawn to the lightning conducter and would grab hold in their beaks before attempting to grip with feet. Jackdaws would perch on the stone ball pinnacles occasionally. Their aerobatics were great to watch and gave the impression they were just having fun in the wind.

Netherfield Nature reserve. Bullfinches in transition from Juvenile to Adult. They haven't quite grown their black caps yet.

Impression from memory. The white rumps really glowed as they flashed into cover.

It was great to see 2 Immature Pintail (I think) on the lagoon with a good selection of Ducks, Lapwings, Gulls and numerous Herons.

The Pintail looked overall a biscuit brown colour with dark sepia back. Its bill was most distinctive showing steel-blue and black.

Heron preening, Pintail upending.

Buzzard over. South Derbyshire.

Windy at Willington. Heron standing head down in the strong blasts. Dunlin looked tiny in comparison next to the Heron.

At Staunton Harold Reservoir this Greenshank gave close(ish) views as it waded in the mud of the receding waterline. Strong gusts of wind blew leaves as well as feathers.

Called in at Willington Gravel Pits this afternoon. I haven't been for a few years, things have changed. No longer able to walk right around the place (which was an interesting walk through various habitats) but observe the pits from platforms by the track. Birds quite distant but plentiful. 2 Black-tailed Godwits were on the far edge in company with Snipe and Coot. 5 Greenshank rested in lea of islet. Curlew Sandpiper far out on scrapes with Lapwing. Very strong winds.

Colour version and original pencil sketch done in about 3 minutes before the Wigeon decided to swim off! Beautiful day, lovely evening light.