Autumn Watch Tonight

I didn't have much choice about noticing the kingfisher, it flew straight past me! The starlings took the centre stage once again after the kingfisher zoomed out of view, they did some great displaying. No birds of prey that i noticed on saturday although the starlings reacted and changed shape/direction when gulls passed them by.

 Autumnwatch showed the roosting behaviour brilliantly, a really good insight into what goes on after dark and when they disappear from our view. Great excuse to go to West Wales, not only have you got the starling roost at Aberystwyth pier but you've got Gigrin and Nant yr Arian on the way, Ynyslas dunes and Ynys hir to the north (great birding spots), Newquay to the south (good chance of dolphins) and along the coast if you are very lucky you could find some choughs!

Can't promise Iolo will be there though!

Hi Ian

Yes, the filming of the Starlings on AW was fascinating. It was interesting to hear how little we actually know about them, even experts. So sad to hear of the dramatic drop in numbers of our resident Starlings.

Did you hear on AW that there are sightings of Kingfishers in all sorts of odd places at the moment - including in people's gardens? They said it was the juveniles being driven out of the parents territory and looking for a patch of their own.

Pipit

"Can't promise Iolo will be there though!"

What??? With your influence? Surely!!!

:))

Hi Pipit, indeed it is amazing how such a familiar species like the starling still has so many facets of its behaviour that we do not fully understand, amazing birds. I'm glad that they mentioned nesting boxes for starlings, that is certainly one way to help them but i wish they could have mentioned our Homes for Wildlife project where we have loads of hints and tips on how to attract in wildlife to the urban environment. Tips like leaving long grass over winter, not using garden chemicals and keeping a patchwork of long and short grass through the spring and summer can really help starlings find enough food to raise healthy young.

Kingfishers do head to coasts and estuaries in the winter, in the search for open water when inland watercourses are frozen or in spate. I love watching kingfishers but in all the time i have spent on the seafront at Aberystwyth i had never seen one there before, maybe i just missed them in previous years! I know the rockpools are stuffed full of life there so it is probably a good move!

Sorry, i hold no sway there at all, although a few of my colleagues remember him from his time with the RSPB and say he was a very nice chap.

Unknown said:

 

I thought the starling gathering was pretty spectacular although I suspect it was more exhilarating if you were actually there rather than watching it on television. The views and behaviour of the roosting birds was fascinating as was the theory as to why there has been such a reduction in starling numbers.

Chris - According to BerksBirds we had our own murmuration yesterday at Lavell's Lake. An estimated 3000 birds gathered to roost in the reed beds. This attracted the attention of three sparrowhawks who made a seemingly concerted three pronged attack to succesfully capture two starlings. Whether they shared thier meal is doubtful.

Regards TJ

Hi TJ

Yes, the Starling flock was very spectacular too. Seeing the starlings in flight outside in  a reserve is so much better than sitting and watching the same things happening on a TV programme.

It is sad that there is a decline in numbers of Starlings.  Why is this the case I wonder? (not sure if the reason why was mentioned on the programme or not)

Chris: Interesting to hear about Sparrowhawks taking advantage of the swarms of starlings.  Starlings are certainly know how to protect their own with their large groups and numbers. 

Good way of fooling any BoP perpetrator- though I thought a Starling would be a mere mouthful at the most

Regards

Kathy and Dave