The number of starlings currently roosting in the Otmoor reedbed is a lot lower than expected with only 2000-3000 currently being seen. This may be because the reedbed is so dry at the moment, allowing foxes and other predators to wander onto the islands, scaring off the birds and putting them off from returning. There is a large starling flock of 10000-15000 birds being seen about 2 miles to the north of the reedbed and which seem to be roosting in an area of woodland. This may be the same large flock I saw coming into the reedbed last week, but which has since decided to abandon us for the relative safety of the trees. Hopefully when it finally rains and water levels go up on the reserve the traitorous starlings will return.
On the plus side the short-eared owls are still showing well. Four were seen yesterday evening (22nd Nov) by the Tuesday work party, with the setting sun as a back drop it made a fitting end to a good day of thorn coppicing.
Yes the starlings don't really seem to be displaying much at the moment. In general calm, clear evenings seem to encourage better displays, but whether the numbers aren't quite high enough to encourage the mass swirling sky-dances isn't fully clear. There may be a critical mass that needs to be reached before it starts. One theory is the birds are jostling for the best roosting spots and with fewer birds maybe this isn't quite so neccessary? It's always good to be in the middle of the roosting flock for extra warmth and protection but maybe the lower numbers are meaning this isn't an advantage? Maybe there is more food about this year so the birds are more spread out across the towns/countryside, meaning they come into the roost in smaller groups rather than massing in nearby fields or trees before displaying or roosting? It's all a bit of an unknown!? There is a big roost to the north of the moor near Merton at the moment if you're in that area.
The harrier was most probably a hen harrier as a female is being seen fairly regularly on the reserve and surrounding land. The female hen harrier has a distinctive white band where the tail meets the body. Thier plumage is different to marsh harriers and they have a 'lighter' flight. In general marsh harriers are normally seen hunting over the reedbed whilst hen harriers prefer the grassland areas. Have a look at the RSPB bird guide to see the plumage differences between these two harrier species; www.rspb.org.uk/.../name ... I would also recommend having a look at this recent photo taken of a starling flock www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Starlings-form-dolphin-skies.html
Not only do the numbers seem to be down but also the birds appear to roost very quickly - not much displaying? Any known reason for this. We have a lot of starlings in Kidlington that roost in various trees, particularly leylandia, and the same is true - fewer numbers and roosting soon after they arrive in small groups?
Did see the harrier/s this evening - how do you tell the marsh harrier from the hen. Not sure which it was although the crowd seemed to think it was a Hen Harrier?