Hello, I'm concerned about the starlings!

Thanks Linda.  I know, I'm worrying over not much really.  There are quite a few other trees around here!  I just feel sorry for them, in this weather and for me, as I won't have a lovely view of them returning in the evenings!!

I know just how you feel. My garden visitors use a neighbour's tree during the day for their siestas and also use it as a waiting area before they fly down to feed. Sometimes there are 40 or more small birds in there, and in winter when the leaves have gone I have a wonderful view. I live in dread of that tree being chopped down!

As Linda has said they should be fine, they might be a little confused tonight when they find their roost has disappeared but they are quick to find an alternative.  Some years back when we lived in town we had to have a very large tree taken down. It was well over 40ft and considered to be a danger to the property, it was fairly shallow rooted and had started to move - wrong place, wrong type of tree. It was a winter roost for 500+ starlings and we did feel very guilty about removing it especially that night when they all came flying in but they rapidly found different trees in the area.

Caroline in Jersey

Unknown said:

Can someone let me know if it's ok to just chop down a home to so many birds please?  Would they have had to seek permission (I'm in Scotland btw)?  Oh, the tree has now gone!! :(

I do not know what the situation is in Scotland but here in England if the tree had a preservation order on it the houshilder would have to get permission to fell it.In thiese cases copies of the order are usually posted in the area and in the local papers.It is for this reason I try to check our local papers.If the tree was felled by a reputable company there is no doubt they would only work within the law.

I think you need have no worries about the Starlings finding a new spot to roost but it may not be as convenient for you to observe them