Sweet Songbirds

 At this time of year with the buds emerging on trees and bushes it is still fairly easy to spot birds as they find a perch and sing out to mark their territory or try to attract a mate. That being said you do still need to be patient because they don't always stay still for long and it can be difficult to actually locate where a particular song is coming from. It can be really frustrating when you finally spot the bird and then it flies off to a new vantage point and you have to start again.

The greenfinch in the first of these shots was a case in point. I could hear him singing for ages before I spotted him and just when I did he flew off, luckily I was able to follow him and got close enough to fire off a few frames. I know that I probably don't see the full beauty of his vibrant plumage but I do appreciate what I see and being able to enjoy his song.

The bird in the next two images is a Dunnock. It is an easily overlooked bird given that it has fairly drab colouring but it has a really beautiful song which more than makes up for its lack of colour. It is still quite a handsome bird although in the second shot with it looking straight at the camera it does look a little fierce.

English Songbirds

The first shot is of a Dunnock, not the most colourful bird but one that has a really beautiful song. It is one of the few regular visitors to my garden although this one was spotted at Brockholes.

The second shot is of a Whitethroat in full song. I wish you could hear the song while you look at the picture... why not click on this link for a sample...

Understated Beauty

This little beauty is Prunella modularis, a Dunnock.

They are regular visitors in my garden feeding on the seeds that get tossed to the ground from the feeders. They're not brightly coloured and are similar to sparrows in many ways and so could be easily overlooked.

But take a closer look and they have some really lovely features. Take this particular specimen feeding on seeds and treats at Mere Sands Wood. I had been looking at a lovely black bird on a bench when this little fellow arrived and I captured several candid shots as it skipped along the edge of the bird table in search of the best morsels. Just look at his red-brown eyes and shiny dark beak, and those orange-brown legs. Dunnocks are often seen on the ground where they appear quite drab and brown but from this angle you can see its beautiful grey head and neck with soft contrasts around the eyes. I love it and hope you do too.

Songbirds on Skomer

The first two of today's pictures are of a Dunnock perched on a fence post. I was alerted to its presence by its song and at first I couldn't see it until it settled on the post, just long enough for me to take these two shots before it flew off. I am really happy with these pictures as they are so sharp.

The final bird was a puzzle to me at first. I had been watching some skylarks and at first that is what I thought this was, it was too far away for a clear identification at first but now as you can see it is a Whitethroat. As far as I can recall this was the first whitethroat I had ever seen so I'm really pleased with this although as it was on a bramble buffeted by the wind it was hard to get a clean shot.