blown in from afar?

It was crowded at the harbour on Sunday - a beautiful day and excitement because Hurricane Sandy has apparently blown in a Hooded Merganser from North America. I had never heard of one before so I googled it and found this weird looking bird! I hope it is happy in England.

Tree

The theme for illustration friday - a subject i love to draw and photograph.

© 2102 nicky linzey

starlings

Apparently the British starling population is down by nearly 80% because of the change in their habitat and they are fighting for food with the invasion of the European starling. I still get a lot in my garden but am yet to see a murmuration of starlings - which I would love to do.  My grandmother hated them - she said they were greedy and took all the food from the little birds but I rather like them. There were about 12 on my yucca tree but by the time I'd found the camera there were only two left. I love that the pattern on the birds matches the blossom on the yucca.

A murmuration of starlings © nicky linzey 2011