Hi Knight, well the lense that i use is 70-200L f2.8 IS USM which is quite a fast lense, which helps in any action/moving shots, i always use AP (Aperature priority) mode instead of TV (shutter priority) as i have control over the aperature as well, in my shots here they were all at 1/1500 which doesnt give motion in the subject (blurring in the wings etc) unless panning slightly faster, but this is only my preference in photographing moving subjects, to blur just lower the shutter speed, i use just sligtly above my max lense focus i.e 250 to anything above to blur,and i just move faster in my panning. Obviously aperature settings vary according to light conditions,and DOF i want, and on AP mode if the light is really bad i can up the ISO to get a good shutter speed , but i dont rarely use above 400 and this way i dont get noise in my picture. As advised in the other posts, practice on larger, slower birds ie pigeons etc, i spent hours in my garden just focusing on the static bird, and then the art of it was to get the first shot timed just right, and iv learned that slight anticipationin pressing the shutter button is required, just as the bird is pushing to take off, i push the shutter button, using continuous shooting mode, probably 3 out of 5 shots are usuable. Well Knight i hope this of some help, its probably covered what you know all ready, but i have no magic tips just one main ingredient, practice, and more practice!!! Good luck and look forward to seeing your pictures after your hard work and determination "WILL" pay off.