Tag: Bird

On The Bird Feeder

The garden bird feeder is quite busy at the moment. These Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus are certainly taking advantage of it and they are welcome too. May 2019, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.

Peter Hillman11 Comments

A Proud And Beautiful Family

Afloat in the water heading with purpose to the bank … Single file in a line they go … Finding lush green to feed upon. Click once to expand view, click again to get that little bit closer Canada Goose Branta canadensis adults and goslings, May 2018, the pond, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, England. © Pete Hillman

Peter Hillman25 Comments

Blackbird

Trying a long shot at full stretch 300mm, earlier this evening with the new 18mm-300mm lens where the light was a little better. Blackbird Turdus merula, May 2018, neigbour’s lawn, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman

Peter Hillman12 Comments

The Sound of Starlings

My neighbour has a large cherry tree and one or two Starlings have been perched in it of late in the high branches. They make the most varied and curious bird song I have ever heard, which is quite fascinating. Starling Sturnus vulgaris, April 2018, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman

Peter Hillman18 Comments

Feeding Time

This beautiful female Greenfinch stopped by to feed on the sunflower hearts on my feeder the other day. A Blue Tit can be seen dropping by in the background. December 2017, Rear garden, Staffordshire, England.

Peter Hillman8 Comments

Saying Hello

As I was pottering about in the garden this morning this little one suddenly appeared out of nowhere close by me. It is a young Dunnock (Prunella modularis.) It appeared quite inquisitive and didn’t fly far. Rear garden, Staffordshire, England. June 2017.

Peter Hillman14 Comments

Cunning Crow

This Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) wasn’t shy at all when it came and landed on a seawall above the cliffs close by. It was so close you could almost reach out and touch it. It came even closer, and I thought perhaps it was expecting a food handout, but it had already got its beady eye… Read More Cunning Crow

Peter Hillman20 Comments

Herring Gull

Larus argentatus These are the blighters that will swoop down and steal your ice cream or fish and chips whilst on the beach or the seafront. A few years ago I was sitting on a pebble beach and was about to tuck into a nice custard tart when one dive bombed me from behind and… Read More Herring Gull

Peter Hillman29 Comments

Wheatear

Oenanthe oenanthe I have admire this little bird for its resilience as it survives the wilds of this prominent headland’s rugged terrain. I think these are all males with their Zorro masks on and their orange buff breasts. It winters in central Africa, and then migrates here for the summer where they breed, mainly in… Read More Wheatear

Peter Hillman6 Comments

Linnet

Carduelis cannabina Walking along the beach front one morning I came across quite a few of these small finches, and they always appeared to travel as a pair. The female, as seen in the top two images, although beautiful does not stand out as much as the male with his rosy-pink flushed breast. See below.… Read More Linnet

Peter Hillman6 Comments

Pied Wagtail

Motacilla alba This is quite a familiar black and white little bird that keeps bobbing its long tail. Found in various habitats, it appears to get quite used to people, especially in urban environments like towns and cities. I followed this lively one along a pebbly beach before it found this rock to sit on… Read More Pied Wagtail

Peter Hillman12 Comments

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensis This little songbird was a delight to see as it suddenly appeared on this coastal stonewall before me. Present all year round, common and widespread, it is found in various grassy habitats, but favours rough grassland, heathland and moorland. It feeds on invertebrates on the ground. Unfortunately, like many of our birds, they… Read More Meadow Pipit

Peter Hillman10 Comments

The Blackbird And The Cotoneaster

I filmed this delightful Blackbird feeding on berries in my front garden through my study window a few years back now. He was so engrossed in his feeding that he paid no attention to the folk passing nearby on the pavement. For more information on this wonderful bird please click on the image below:

Peter Hillman24 Comments

Pochard

Aythya ferina The male of the species has a brownish-red head, light grey back plumage, a deep black breast and dark tail. It also has a red eye and a pale patch on the dark bill. The female has a brown head and breast, flecked brown back plumage, and a brownish eye with a white… Read More Pochard

Peter Hillman6 Comments

Wigeon

Anas penelope The male Wigeon is quite a colourful duck with a chestnut head and neck, a yellow forehead,  a pink flushed breast and white under belly, which is quite distinctive in flight along with bold white wing patches. The body is round and grey, with a black and white stern. It has a dark… Read More Wigeon

Peter Hillman2 Comments

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinerea This is the slimmest of the wagtails, and also has the longest tail which aids its maneuverability in flight. It has slate-grey upper parts and a long white-edged tail, whilst underneath it pale yellow, varying depending on the time of year, from being less yellow in the winter. It has a conspicuous white… Read More Grey Wagtail

Peter Hillman12 Comments

Dunnock

Prunella modularis Also called the ‘Hedge Sparrow’ or ‘Hedge Accentor’, the Dunnock is an unobtrusive, plain bird with black and brown streaky back plumage, greyish underside, a  streaked brown cap, a grey throat and face, a distinct brown eye, and a dark fine bill. Its legs are orange-brown. The adults are similar, although the female … Read More Dunnock

Peter Hillman6 Comments