Olympus 150-400mm

With a 4/3 system you get a smaller sensor than a full frame so there are disadvantages and advantages. With the 150-400 mm lens you actual get more reach so the lens works as a 300-800mm lens

But the lens has a built in teleconverter so now it works as a 1000mm lens, coupled with the amazing 8.5 stops of stabilisation you have no problem handholding the set up. Also it is completely sealed

so again no problems using it in rain and extreme conditions. It is also super sharp.

Managed to capture this Shetland Starling with this lens and pro capture, no chance before with the last couple of systems

 It is a pro lens so does cost a bit but i will score it a 9.5/10

Shetland Starling

Shetland Starlings are very noisy at the moment. The Starlings here are sedentary and do not migrate like others that you see further south

Shetland has a good population and they are nesting at the moment. A few always nest in the engine space in cars and a few fires are normal, so check under the bonnet

Flocks of Starlings are often seen on the moors and in fields feeding and this happens all year round

 

Shetland Starling

It was good to have some winter sun after days and days of cloudy weather

One bird that always lifts your spirits are Shetland Starling. They are present all year round and do not migrate like the other European Starlings

They are always chattering and singing away and provide lots of colour

Around the house we have around 100 or so that fly down to the field at the south side to feed 

With Shetland having only just about 5.5 hours of daylight at this time of year we see flocks of Starling going to roost heading past our house and down towards the marsh

 

Shetland Common birds doing well

 It always good to see some common birds in good number and both Shetland Starling and House Sparrows are present in good numbers unlike the rest of the UK

Beautiful colours on our Starlings

In the sun the colours of the Starlings really show off well and these were taken down at Leebitton

Down at Leebitton i recon that there must be about 100 Starlings and close by at Sandlodge another 100

On rough grassland close by another 200-300. At home we have a couple of hundreds of birds flying over as its going dark going to roost

House Sparrows are very underrated and again we have them in good numbers. Flocks of around 100 in both places, either feeding in gardens or in a small area of mixed woodland beside Sandlodge

Sparrows don't roam far and their seems to be plenty of food locally