starlings

Not here in London where I live, Cliffo, unfortunately - guess it must happen somewhere here, but I never get to see it. Lucky you, even if its only a couple of thousand. Norfolk is a great county to see that - I think that's where the BBC footage comes from

the reason I asked Bamboo is I wonderd if they made their way down south 'if we got reports from Scotland with the dates right down through the midlands we may be able to follow them to norfolk were they proberly come togather for that wonderfull show,

We sometimes see the display, Cliffo, but I have not seen it yet this year.

I think they live in roosts all over this country, Cliffo - we certainly have loads of starlings here, and they roost in the conifers round by the dustbins (!), but I never see them do that swoopy thing you're talking about. For all I know, though, they do it every night where I can't see them! I believe we have extra starlings here in the winter because some migrate here from colder areas in Europe and elsewhere.

this is what I was geting at but BH has pored a drop of cold water on my thearie, I thort that he would have seen them befor me,

Cliffo, all I said was that I hadn't seen them. Doesn't mean that they haven't been displaying. There are many years when I don't see them.

I'm sure that's true, Bulbaholic - even in Norfolk, you have to head out to the right spots to see it. And Brighton has a good display too, they all roost on the pier, so the display is over the sea. But I'm pretty sure there's certain times when you're more likely to see it in the winter, something to do with weather and the month, can't quite recall now.

Obce upon a time a million of them used to roost on the Runcorn Widnes Bridge. They used a tree in my garden as a gathering post. So for a few hours before dark the place was black with them. Wonderful sight, alas no more. They managed to stop them from roosting on the bridge (the weight was causing trouble) and we saw them no more.
Here we do not se this great 'storm' of them, but we do get a large number overwintering nearby. They come and eat the apples which we throw out for the blackbirds and fieldfares.

I remember driving home from work one evening along the A96 and all the cars, me included, were pulling over to the side of the road to watch the best display I have ever seen.

never minde OB may be when they build the new bridge the starlings will come back, they used to roost in the furnes shed in the local steel works when we had one on the gurders over were the loco used to take the slag pots out and some of he drivers would stop the pots right under them for a couple of minuates when he left there would be scors of starlings lauing on the floor ,not nice. almost forgot BA understand and thank's mate

~they have been doing it locally but in hundreds rather than thousands and even then it is quite a sight!
One of these days I will get down to the Somerset levels which have some spectacular displays this time of year!

this is what I want to know Arlene, do these smaler numbers gradgly get to gether, I think we have had a couple of thousend hear , but did these start out as smaler numbers all over cheshire and will they now move on to join them down the welsh coast and Ynys mon growing all the time untill they reachSomerset

Iam not sure but I think autumn watch is going to show something about starlings tommorow.

thanks for the heads up, Mavis - I taped last week's edition and managed to tape over it again before I watched it - spending too much time on here!!

Dont we all Bamboo but thats because its such a nice site.

Most of the time, Mavis, most of the time! Had a spot of trouble this week on here.... but hopefully over now. Even so, keeps me occupied ;-))

Sorry to here that hope its all sorted out now.

Only time will tell! Just realised I've forgotten to have any dinner - I had a toffee apple earlier and lost a filling while eating it, spent ages plugging the gap dental fixative, had a long phone call and been on here ever since. No wonder I feel hungry.... am off to eat and then bed! Nightie night.

Mavis autumn watch at 9pm to day on bbc2 if I am not merstaken is about a pack of killer wales , I think they call it a pack not a school, anyway I hope they do the starlings as well. come to think of it that might be a good question to put on hear, who are they,

Hi Cliffo I got it wrong its wading birds!all 40,000 of them flying in formation.The killer whales were something to see Gordan Buchan is going back tonight to have a second look.l liked it when he followed the fox.

yes I m an avid watcher, but we proberly all are. if we did not like nature we would proberly not be gardners incerdently welcom to the mad house ''I mean the site'

Thanks I have been here a while but have only recently become confident enough to join in the discussions, although I have followed them.Also I have asked quite a few questions.

how could I ever ignor a gorde girl' slaping wrist now'

This geordie girl ! is actually a makhem but I have lived in geordie land for thirty years so it is now home.

all come down to where I am in Norfolk the starlings are out of this world
was an avid watcher before I had my daughter. Truly is amazing

x x x

i just got told about your question cliffo and its funny cause i just did a blog about the same thing, we are having thousands each evening flying over about 6.30pm and also early morning, so guess they all go elsewhere to sleep, we are surrounded by countryside so guess they come in to built up areas to eat each day in the winter months, but the site is amazing to watch dont you think :o))

no wonder they do not stop in Bllackpool there is no were to park. lol'' I wonder how meny there in the british iles, Mookins I think they come to see you. you probely encorage them by blowing them kisses, luckie birds

lol cliffo its not all concrete here you know, lol lots of lovely countryside around, im only 10min drive from town in a rural village :o),

Sanbaz I was just puling your leg a frend of mine used to owen a hotel there and I would spend most weekend's there, and once you got somewere to park you left it there and used a taxi, blackpool was built for the train not the car. and yes there is lovly country there especaly around Gorge formbe's house, lol

this is from the RSPB
Roosting

Large flock of starlings congregating at dusk
In late afternoon in winter, starling flocks will congregate and make a cloud-like formation before settling at their roosting site

Starlings are gregarious and often flock. The flock size varies during the year, being smallest during the breeding season, and largest in winter when numbers are augmented by migrants from the north. The flock permits more efficient feeding, since each bird can afford to be less vigilant. The greater vigilance of the flock gives each member a greater protection from predators - there is safety in numbers.

During the breeding season pairs sometimes feed by themselves, sometimes in a flock with others from their colony. While feeding chicks, flocks gather to feed wherever there is a plentiful supply of grassland invertebrates. Birds commute between their nest and the feeding flock.

Once juveniles become independent, they gather into noisy flocks that can number several hundred. These disperse to places where inexperienced youngsters can easily feed, such as orchards and parks.

During the winter, starlings live in flocks throughout the day, travelling between feeding sites. They have spare time for preening and loafing, usually close to the feeding areas at noisy gatherings called daytime roosts. Day roosts are normally at exposed places such as tops of trees, where the birds have a good all-round visibility.

Starlings feed up to 20 miles from their winter roost, but return each evening. In late afternoon feeding flocks coalesce into progressively larger flocks as they move towards the roost. Large pre-roost assemblages form in places where the birds can get one last meal before nightfall. At dusk birds from these assemblies fly, often in a swirling cloud-like formation, to the roost.

Woods are the commonest roost sites, but reedbeds, cliffs, buildings and industrial structures are used. Protection from weather and predators are important criteria in the choice of a roost. A large roost can contain hundreds of thousands of birds.

Once inside the roost, starlings take their time to settle and are quite vocal. Noise levels increase again towards dawn, and the birds leave in waves. These flocks can be detected on radar, which allows detailed monitoring of the movements of the birds.

Nature reserves

* Blacktoft Sands
* Ham Wall
* Leighton Moss
* Marazion Marsh
* Minsmere
* Titchwell Marsh

no probs cliffo i know you were pulling my leg lol :o))

thanx arlene, well i was right about them going to bed and coming out in morning looking for food, cheers for info :o))

Great info, Arlene, thanks.

Arlene that was a terifick answer, you have gon to a lot of truble on our behalf, and I for one thank you very much'

~ no Trouble Cliffo~ just watched Autumnwatch~ amazing pictures of starlings etc!should have recorded it!

i know arlene i just caught the last part of the birds flying, hubbys fault i had to drop him at snooker and forgot it was on grrr lol

~ You can watch it on Iplayer Sandra~ wonder if the Beeb does a dvd?

thanx arlene :o)

I have a dvd on gardener's world by the beeb so I think they proberly do ,not just the starlings but all the birds were fasanating to night'

Sanbaz its reapted today at seven thirty its well worth watching.

ive been told to watch the starlings of otmoor on youtube and was wonderfull, so if you want to view the starlings go to youtube and type in starlings of otmoor well worth a look :o))

I did that Sanbaz, but it doesn't recognise "starlings of otmoor"?

www.youtube.com/watch?gl=CA&hl=en&v=XH-groCeKbE - 172k - Cached
Video.Play Video

copy and paste this bamboo

Oh, if only I knew how to copy and paste - I'll ask my son tomorrow;-)))

sorry about that it is easy when you have been shown so once your son shows you it will be usefull for you, if you put starlings of otmoor youtube which i just did that should bring it up for you

Yep, got it, Sanbaz - I have to confess to sitting here with tears streaming down my face, watching it, stunning, fantastic, absolutely magical;-)

glad you got it bamboo, im like that, nature gets me all emotional , arent we softies :o)

I guess - makes your heart sing, though!

sure does :o))