Honestly, I think you can do better. The birds make for a interesting subject but, with that 50 milli your composition has to be better in1&2. They both also have the sun on the top side of the birds so, without flash the all the detail is underexposed on the bottom side.
Next time out try to keep the sun at your back where it doesnt cast shadows on your subject, also try shooting things that arent moving so fast like, people, signs, cars etc..For moving subjects maybe try them at greater distances...also, one of the best things about primes is that they make you work for the shot, i mean you cant just zoom in and shoot you have you walk around your subject to compose it, that forces you to think about whats in your background, how close you are to your subject and where you want your subject in the pic so, try shooting the same subject at different angles.
Im no expert, I have just learned a lot since i started. (you will too) I think with tring to take good pics it requires practice and getting out of that point and shoot mode. The more you shoot the better you become...