I was joined by 32 visitors on Sunday 17th November, for the first of our 'Starling Spectacular'- themed walks.
The group saw approximately 3000 birds 'murmurating' for about 20 minutes, which at the time was the longest we'd seen this season.
As you'll have seen from Jenny's recent blog, the roost has now increased in size, as we'd hoped. This is probably due to 'our' birds being joined by continental birds that have been reported migrating over the east coast by the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) recently.
As well as the starlings, other wildlife highlights included very good views of two roe deer and two whooper swans.
We only have a few places left on the December walk, but still plenty left on the January one. Details can be found on our web page.
Thanks for the reply Jenny. Managed to come along yesterday (Sunday) with my 6 year old daughter and saw them return to their roost - about a 20 min display, but shorter may be. Some went into the reeds quite quickly, others flew around for a while, spread out at first then joined to form a big 'ball.' Brilliant! Really nice night for it too. Enjoyed the geese flying over too around the same time as the murmuration. Now I know where I'm going I'll definitely be back for another more in depth look around. Cheers, Chris
Hi Chris,
Hope you were successful if you have had a chance to visit yet? There were around 7000 birds in the murmuration last night, but a bit spread out. Best place to view is from the viewing screen on the eastern public footpath or from the footpath further north past the end of the scrub.
Thanks,
Jenny
Hoping to get along and see the display having been unsuccessful at RSPB Kirkby on Bain Pitts. Thanks to Charlie Barns for pointing me in your direction. Cheers.
I have been watching starlings flocking on a much smaller scale in Saltburn by the Sea, Cleveland. Roosting in the ivy on a house they are very easy to observe in the middle of the town TS12 1ED.There could be about a 100 gathering 1530 to 1600. You can observe birds joining the flock in 2s and 3s and gradually growing. Also over the past 3 nights I have noticed that the birds roost in 2 groups, half suddenly breaking off and landing in the ivy, whilst the rest continue to circle round the area, with new birds continuing to join the flock. Trespassing on the Methodist Church fire escape I was just feet away from the flock at times, so the noise of their flight overhead was so clear. Also being so close the "whoosh" as they landed in the ivy across the street was a wonderful sound.
It was also interesting that the roosting birds were silent until joined by the second group when the squawking and whistling began, ending a few minutes later.
It's good that this site is on the doorstep for people in the town, although I was the only one watching.