2 weeks ago I noticed starlings in and out of neighbours roof. I could even hear chicks. There has been so much activity with the parents flying in and out. Now…it has all stopped. I guess they have fledged? Seems early in the year? I also thought they would roost in there. I miss them!
Sounds like a nest failure to me. Starlings in this area would, if they still existed, have found it impossible to feed. The ground is like concrete. The two known nest sites have been unoccupied this year. Not seen a starling for over a month, possibly more than two months.
I think they have fledged. Seen a few starlings around and now the adults appear to be nest building again!
Too early for that. If they are nest building again, it suggests a nest failed early on. They don't usually have two successful broods. Also, young appear quite different to adults, so any fledged would be identifiable.
Oh I hope it hasn’t failed. I could hear the chicks getting louder over the last 2-3 weeks and the parents were back and forth relentlessly. They were pretty much ready to fledge. Unless a predator has killed then all in the nest?
The adults are definitely nesting again though. I find them fascinating.
If a predator killed the chicks in the nest, they wouldn't be nesting in it again this season. Are you sure what you were hearing were chicks and not the adults? Nest sites can have quite a lot of competition in some areas. Timing seems all wrong both for 'nearly fledged' and 'nesting again'.
Thanks for replying! I am fascinated by this. Yes definitely heard chicks and they were getting louder. Both parents in and out all day feeding. They are definitely rebuilding a nest as swooped down and took twigs from my garden. But yes the timing is odd.
There is a chance it is a different pair of adult starlings to earlier.
Take it from me that it's not too early for them to have fledged, I currently have 6 Starling fledglings in the garden. they look very well fed so no shortage of food around here
Richard B
Richard G B said:Take it from me that it's not too early for them to have fledged, I currently have 6 Starling fledglings in the garden. they look very well fed so no shortage of food around here
No one said it was too early for them to have fledged. It is too early for them to have fledged, been fed by parents to the point of independence, and then parents back to nest building again. The ones you are seeing, in an area where more rain has fallen than here, will still be being fed by adults.
The gang of 6 are feeding independently, they fly in as a group and decimate the feeding stations. The adults appear at different times.