Hello,
Following on from Graham Rees' recent posting on the Plumstone/Dudwell starling roost, here are my observations from a visit to the site on New years Eve. I viewed the roost from beside the small pond above the abbatoir which provided a great view.
The first influx began , at 16.00, with birds coming in from a bearing of 100-120 degrees. These birds arrive in good light and fly in high before descending over the forest where they swoop and display for about 10 mins before landing. This first influx is the largest and I would estimate it makes up approx. 60% of the total roost. As the light worsens a second influx arrives from a bearing of 170 degrees. These birds make up about 15% of the roost. At the same time as the second influx there is a third arrival of birds from about 210 degrees, making up about 25% of the roost. The second and third arrivals fly in at low level and roost immediately without displaying above the forest. Are these patterns repeated daily ? Maybe other birders have noted different patterns ?How many birds? 1, 2, or 3 million, impossible for me to tell !
Notes from a H'west town garden. 4 Redpolls for the last 2 weeks of Nov., feeding on nijer, only single birds seen occasionally since. First Siskin (M)of the winter on Xmas day. After 15 years of trying to attract a woodpecker to the garden ,I now have a male GSW that visits 3/4 times daily. Sadly, no Blackcaps or Bramblings yet.
Martyn Fair.
