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Thanks rowanwitch and icemaiden for your observations!
They are most definitely young blackbirds (almost "hooligans" in their behaviour...lol !!!). There are still 4 or 5 around and they don't half make a mess, digging in the borders and flinging great amounts of earth around!! Am constantly sweeping up after them. The few plums we had on our tree have been scoffed, also assisted by a squirrel (didn't know they had a fruity-tooth!).
As for starlings, they have started roosting in our neighbours very tall leylandii trees!! Noisy, too....!