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Starlings 'moot'

  • 05-10-2011 8:27am
    #1
    Monkaa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 203 ✭✭


    A group of around 100 starlings are constantly gathering & flying around my estate these days...I heard this is called a starling 'moot' but what is the purpose of it? Are they preparing to migrate?


Comments

  • #2
    littlebug
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,832 ✭✭✭littlebug


    It's also called a murmuration (among other things). Love that word!

    The flocks you see are just getting ready to settle down to roost for the night. They don't migrate but are joined by migrants from elsewhere for the winter.. the huge flocks/ moots/ murmurations are a sight to behold!


  • #3
    Monkaa
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 203 ✭✭Monkaa


    littlebug wrote: »
    It's also called a murmuration. Love that word!

    The flocks you see are just getting ready to settle down to roost for the night. They don't migrate but are joined by migrants from elsewhere for the winter.. the huge flocks/ moots/ murmurations are a sight to behold!


    Thanks for the info :) Why do they only gather like this at this time of year?


  • #4
    littlebug
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,832 ✭✭✭littlebug


    Those more knowledgeable can correct me on this but I'd assume its because they're busy with nesting and feeding chicks through spring and summer. The increase in numbers with migrants will also make the flocks more obvious.

    I'll admit I have no idea when migrant starlings arrive here and whether the current flocks being seen are resident breeding birds or a mixture:o
    Anyone?


  • #5
    littlebug
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,832 ✭✭✭littlebug


    Some good info on why they flock in winter here on the rspb site.


  • #6
    ytpe2r5bxkn0c1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Littlebug has it well covered.

    We get large numbers of Starlings from Northern Europe because of our milder (?) Winters.

    Come November, we should see some of the brilliant displays as they come to roost. I usually have in excess of 15,000 Starlings flocking at the reedbeds beside my home each yeay. To stand and watch them from the kitchen window is a real privilege.


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  • #7
    marlin vs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,631 ✭✭✭marlin vs


    Here's an unusual picture of a murmuration of starling.


  • #8
    kildare.17hmr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,615 ✭✭✭kildare.17hmr


    great pic marlin. Did you take that?


  • #9
    marlin vs
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,631 ✭✭✭marlin vs


    kildare.17hmr wrote: »
    great pic marlin. Did you take that?
    No I can't take credit for it,I came across it but can't remember where.


  • #10
    Mothman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,498 ✭✭✭Mothman


    And a stunning video that I've just come across

    http://vimeo.com/31158841

    Anyone know how to embed this here?


  • #11
    whyulittle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,878 ✭✭✭whyulittle


    This video just showed up on the little Bing Videos window on my MSN contacts box - normally reserved for American-related content!


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  • #12
    Mickeroo
    Administrators, Computer Games Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 32,531 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Mickeroo


    heres an embed

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeA_P3Bn9Yw


    That vid went viral big time over the last week, it made the news in England and everything!


  • #13
    emo72
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,341 ✭✭✭emo72


    theres a great display every evening on the nangor road longmile road junction every evening. on top of the hino harris building. i will try record it. its great cos its a built up industrial area, so lots of people must see it.


  • #14
    wildfowler94
    Closed Accounts Posts: 812 ✭✭✭wildfowler94


    emo72 wrote: »
    theres a great display every evening on the nangor road longmile road junction every evening. on top of the hino harris building. i will try record it. its great cos its a built up industrial area, so lots of people must see it.

    I sat on a boat this time last year after a days wildfowling and watched the guts of 4000 birds dart over the reeds of a little midland lake a real sight to behold the sky was black.

    WF


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