Recent Birding Captures

I’ve been lucky enough to capture a few shots of birds recently here in Wiltshire, despite the often poor weather. Sometimes you go out and everything is hunkered down and not many birds or other wildlife are out, I imagine them nestled up, cozy in the hedges trying to conserve warmth. However, with patience (which I often lack), you can spot birds moving from spot to spot before they become secluded again. If that doesn’t work, bribing them out with a feeder (we use suet and seed mixes), you can entice brief sojourns to your garden feeder! The birds get a free meal and we get to briefly watch them!

One of the most exciting encounters was seeing a Eurasian Kestrel land in a tree and survey its surroundings for quite a while, permitting me to get relatively close for the first shot below. The majestic bird then took flight, staying low, to other nearby branches. I was able to capture it hovering in the winds scanning the ground for prey, but those shots didn’t quite come out as well as I had hoped. Regardless, I am thrilled with the shots I managed and was excited to see it!

A kestrel takes flight at Castle Hill Country Park in Wiltshire, England

Up next are a couple of shots showing the Stonechat. The first appears to be a young female with the second being a mature male.

A first for me, more as a product of my new-found enjoyment of birding as they are not uncommon, is the Eurasian Siskin. A small bird with bright yellow markings, they were a little difficult to get photos of as they are fast and fairly skittish. Finding them enjoying a food source made it a little easier to get the captures below.

The final shots below were taken in the back garden (yard for my American readers). Yes, perhaps it is cheating to lure them in with yummy suet and seeds but I make no apologies! The top was the first Marsh Tit I was able to capture, and the second is a lovely Blue Tit captured while the rain sprinkled down.