Birds perch in all sorts of places. That's one of the benefits of being able to fly. You can get to all sorts of resting points that other creatures can't reach; and you have a built in safety device should you slip. Of course most birds will settle for a branch in a tree, like this greenfinch in our garden this morning.
Another common perch, especially for this next species, are lamp posts. I'm sure it's the same in other parts of the country, but you can scarcely drive anywhere in Sussex without seeing a kestrel perched high over the road as it searches for rodent trails. This one was doing just that at one of the highest local points, Telscombe, which is about a mile and half from Rottingdean (up hill most of the way!).
Kestrel on a lamp post
The street lamp is nice and stable and affords a good view of the surrounding grass verges. A good spot for a kestrel to pick, and one which preserves energy which would otherwise be expended in hovering. Less understandable was the choice of a starling who pick on a decidedly mobile perch. The winds were gusting at the top of the cliffs and the perch was swinging rapidly from side to side. 
Starling on a weather vane
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
gdare
23 Jan 2012Kestrel on a lamp is funny but a winner of the day is starling 😆
Words
24 Jan 2012Darko, I have to agree. The starling was a real darling!
gdare
24 Jan 2012Originally posted by Words:
😆
derWandersmann
27 Jan 2012They went thattaway!
Words
27 Jan 2012dW, [Strong gust] Which way????
cakkleberrylane
30 Jan 2012A carnival ride for birds!
serola
30 Jan 2012The last one is just marvelous :hat:
Words
30 Jan 2012Sami, it was one of those perfect moments!
Words
30 Jan 2012Lois, absolutely. And at the seaside too!
derWandersmann
2 Feb 2012Where the arrow points.