Starlings!

Gaspode

We've been swamped for the last week or so with a big flock (easily over a hundred) starlings in the garden and in the fields behind us.
Up to now we've just had the odd startling show up in the garden, so it's odd to see so many. Looks like a lot of them are youngsters.

I've no problem with starlings in general (I know some people hate them which is odd) and though I am getting fairly tired of the noise they're making, I'm more worried about what will happen to the birds that have been living in the garden before their arrival.

Does anyone know if this is a sign that the starlings are moving in to this area from elsewhere or do they move from place to place as a flock? Does their presence mean that the other birds will be out-competed for food - they're certainly getting through a monstrous amount of insects each day!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

It's just a flock of young birds. They will move on. Don't worry, they won't out-compete the other birds.

Half-cocked

Numbers of juveniles down this year, we usually get 30+ in the garden, only 10-12 this year.

spooky donkey

thanks for them pics I was wondering what the new birds in my garden were hanging about with the starlings, just young starlings. gaspode I also have a lot in my garden lately..... must be a D15 thing...

Jimmy Garlic

Plagued with them. I had them nesting in a hole in a cavity block wall, under the tiles of the house, and in a nest box I put up for robins. Sh!t everywhere. Noisy and very dirty birds. Still, it's nature. Have to find ways to discourage them from coming back next year.

kneemos

Swarm of them around here,congregate on a communications mast about fifty feet away every evening.
Devils job to stop them getting the food from the feeders.

Not a fan . Particularly when they have young.I think they take the droppings from the nest and deposit it around the place.

Deranged96

They're wonderful birds imo their chattering babbles are so unlike anything else around, and when the sun catches their feathers and you get gleams of green and purple Shur what more would you want

Gaspode

I do like starlings to be fair, it's just the huge noise they make all day long is driving me a bit nuts! Havent had too many issues with their droppings so far.