It has been quite quiet on the birdy front in my part of Essex of late. The usual crows and rooks over the fields, blackbirds in the hedges, robins are back finally with avengance and the blue t*ts are never far away from my willow and robinia, but I noticed my starlings seem to have vanished (they nest in our eaves every year). Saturday morning, after bacon sangers all round, followed by crumpets and toast, the rinds and crusts were chucked out on the lawn. Within minutes over 20 starlings were there squabbling over the grub and they cleared the lot in seconds. Great to watch, like a load of kids fighting over the last sherbert dab! ;D Hoorah, they are back!
EJ I dread walking under trees with a flock of starlings perched on it ... you never know when they're going to "do a whoopsy" (mm Betty!) :( Fantastic mimics though! Ours do curlews and oyster catchers. Some have even mastered a passable wolf whistle - cheers me up no end!
I live in Herts and have not seen a starling in months if not years! I am not sure where they have gone to.
My problem in the tiny garden is the amount of pigeons and doves. They land on the bird table and gobble up everything in seconds! Not sure what to do - Thought I found a feeder they could not reach but, they have!
I feel sorry for Mr Robin who has to fight to get any food!
Hello Marian
The only thing I can suggest is one of those Ground Guards which help to protect the wild birds feeding on the ground. They exclude the predators like the Sparrowhawk and the big birds like the pigeons. They are on sale from C.J.Wildbirdfoods. If you go into google and enter CJ.Wildbirdfoods youwill see what I mean. Unfortunately the price is £19.95.
::) ::)