This is the time of year when the fledglings are feeding independently. I like seeing them on the feeders; they always look scruffy, dusty and dowdy as their full plumage hasn’t yet come through.

A baby Goldfinch with a wonky wing feather and an emerging feathery ruff on its chest has been tucking in to the niger seeds quite a lot, then flying off to perch nearby before returning for another feast.

Baby Coal Tits and Great Tits have been feeding on sunflower seeds, looking faded as yet. But when the adult plumage appears for all these young birds, they will look superb.

Right now though, it’s plumage in progress.