Tag Archives: Starlings

Goldfinch in the Autumn Sunshine (+bonus Starlings)

The last day of October 2020 brought a dull and grey morning and some heavy rain over lunchtime and early afternoon in West Berkshire. But around mid afternoon it cleared up and the sun came through, giving some nice autumn afternoon sunshine. As soon as the rolls I had started baking at lunchtime as the heavy rain stopped me from going anywhere were finished I grabbed my camera to try and get a few shots. I only had about an hour before the sun went too low and no time to go far, but I managed to catch these Goldfinches on a tree in its autumn colours (and some bonus Starlings on the top of a bare tree branch):

As usual click on the pictures for the large size gallery view. I hope you enjoy and like the pictures, I must admit I’m quite pleased about the first picture, managing to catch the Goldfinch just in the hole in the autumn leaves (there were also plenty failed versions of that picture…).

Hungry Sparrows

My original plan for this afternoon had been to get a few pictures of some young ducklings on the Kennet and Avon Canal I had first spotted a few days ago. However, just as I arrived at their location they decided to climb out of the canal and disappear into the undergrowth on the other side. So a change of plan was needed. While I didn’t manage to take any pictures of them catching them in flight I did manage to get a few pictures of Sparrows who had just caught an insect.

(click on the pictures for larger versions)

Swans and Starlings at Otmoor, Oxfordshire

Had a very nice afternoon out at the RSPB Otmoor reserve. While I saw a large variety of birds (more of them in another entry later) the main reason I went today was the impressive Starling roost with their amazing murmurations. Two Swans decided to photobomb the show as well:

(Click on the pictures for much bigger versions)