Starling In Garden

[Chipchopper]

Saw two starlings in my garden this morning, not seen them around here for years!!
What used to be one on the most common garden visitors is now on the 'red list'
I wondered if they are making a come-back or just searching wider for food during inclement weather ?

[julia-mag]

We get 'flocks' of about 40 starlings at a time, so not diminishing here, but we have lost the Thrushes and greenfinches which used to be here in abundance. I expect this really cold weather will kill off many more this year so we keep up a daily feed and water for the birds/

[baza]

get lots of starlings here, but great decline in sparrows and haven't seen a song thrush for several years.

[Chipchopper]

I see the odd song thrush coming in but no sparrows at all.

Feeding frenzy and lots squabbling going on around feeders, since the cold spell.

[carrust]

Never had a starling here after living at this address for the last 10yrs. House sparrows are also down to 1 pair from about 18.

[ChillDoubt]

Starlings not as prominent round here as they've been in recent years, not seen a thrush for many a moon but have a pair of blackbirds that visit the table regularly.
Not seen a robin about for months either.

[gingejbee]

Good grief - I wish I could get rid of them all. Greedy devils - here all the time!

[Barmaid]

The reason you don't have any starlings is because they are ALL here.

I did see a wren about 10 days ago. Not seen the robin this year, but Mr Blackbird is back.

[Robinia]

Only the occasional starling here but my sister has a huge flock which roosts in the trees near to her, they make a terrific din.
I've got about 7 or 8 blackbirds and a pair of robins as well as green/gold/chaffinches, blue/great/long tailed tits, reed buntings and a flock of sparrows.
Oh and there are collared doves, wood and feral pigeons....so it's a busy garden.

[frugalfred]

Starlings visit me frequently - I call them "The Heavy Mob", they squabble and bash away at the fat balls. I have had one song thrush today, several goldfinches, many chaffinches, but I haven't seen a greenfinch for about two years. The most interesting recent visitor was a reed bunting - visited me every day last week.

[murraymints]

Get them all...starlings sparrows thrush blackies tits little wrens finch crows magpies....

[ChillDoubt]

I agree frugalfred, starlings have always reminded me of loutish behaviour.

[Robinia]

oh yes, I forgot the wrens, magpies and crows.

[redman41]

Plenty of Starlings around, see them every day

[Chipchopper]

Thank's to all for your answers.

It's now left me wondering why, some of the most, once common birds are now reduced to small sporadic pockets and what can be done to address the balance.

[Prudie]

Starlings on the red list? I see hundreds of starlings every day, they are the most common garden bird I have.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I get jackdaws, crows, Big pigeons, sparrows, blackbirds, including a one legged one that I call Spacker, and starlings. The starlings love the coconut shell thing.

[paddywak]

Sadly we've too many cats about to get many birds in the back garden now, just the odd black bird but we do get a robin, a couple of blackbirds and a pair of pigeon on the front bird tables. When we had Max we never had a cat within 50 yards and the feeders were always full with a fairly wide mix.

[paddywak]

At the risk of upsetting the cat lovers on site one thing we could do is control the furry bird killers. The estimated number of birds they kill annually is huge

[Chipchopper]

You are so right Julia-mag,
It's important to put out the water as well as the food in this cold weather. I must admit, I'm guilty of forgetting the water.

Frugalfred, the reed bunting is an interesting visitor. Are you anywhere near a reed bed or wetlands ?

[Barmaid]

I agree Paddy. However, I have four cats and i am expecting considerable bird life this year, as last year. We saw many different finches at the feeders last year and Mr and Mrs Blackbird safely raised a brood. Mind you, I have 3 chickens who chase the cats away.......