First Signs of Spring? - Starlings in the bath

Nicki C said:

I have seen up to 8 Starlings in my small bird bath at one time.

Hi Kathy

I only got as far as 4 today, but I will keep an eye out tomorrow.

It's OH's birthday tomorrow. Im thinking of suggesting a day trip out to Sandy, Beds LOL

I'm not sure he will go for it. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Best wishes Chris

Hi Chris

Love to hear about your Starlings adventures in the bath

Happy birthday to your OH from myself for tomorrow.  Yes, a trip to Sandy RSPB sounds a good idea {thumbs up}

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Here are the latest sightings form Sandy, and of course al the other wildlife that is around.  I saw a Muntjac Deer while on one of my trips around the Reserve last year.

Pintail

Woodcock

Treecreeper

Firecrest

Goldcrest

Sisken

Love to hear all about your trip if the decision is to go to Sandy {the weather was beautiful today. and we are close to Sandy}

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Woodpecker said:

I have seen up to 8 Starlings in my small bird bath at one time.

Hi Kathy

I only got as far as 4 today, but I will keep an eye out tomorrow.

It's OH's birthday tomorrow. Im thinking of suggesting a day trip out to Sandy, Beds LOL

I'm not sure he will go for it. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Best wishes Chris

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I sunk a washing-up bowl into the soil in the garden last week, ready to become a small pond-like thingy.  A week later, there are no frogs, no newts, not even a pond skater, but I have seen a blackbird trying (precariously) to take a bath in it.

I have a small birdbath, and directly behind it I keep a large bucket of water as drinking water for the foxes, badgers, cats etc.  The birdbath and the bucket are at exactly the same height, only of course one is very shallow and safe for birds to drink and bathe in, and the other one has deep water which is not so safe for the birds.  And guess which one they choose...

Either my birds are in training for the Olympics swimming team, or they are just very very daft.

BB

LOL BB, nice story. It's a bit of a close call and I wouldn't like to guess either way - although I do recall a thread on here a week or so back where folk were questioning the intelligence of, specifically, blackbirds. Judging from the tales folk were telling, it certainly seems that blackbirds are a bit on the dim side!

Great photos Chris :o)

Starlings make me laugh when bathing, they're so comical to watch the way they splash about.

Our birdbath hasn't been used for a while, bet it needs a good scrub.

Unknown said:

Starlings make me laugh when bathing

Hi Paul E

Especially the last shot, where it looks like either a drowned rat or some sort of theatre prop. :-)

Best wishes Chris

My bird bath is being used every day at the moment by blackbirds, one at a time of course - they like their privacy!! The starlings are prefering to remain dirty. I've noticed a couple of sparrows take the plunge recently - they also like communal bathing. They are all drinking, alng with my dogs.  It was completely frozen over again this morning. I had to break the ice with a large pebble.

Mrs Blackbird having a wash and brush up.

 

Brrrrrrrrr, I feel so cold just looking at your picture Sparrow. I haven't seen any  birds use our baths yet !