Info on the Plumstone Starling spectacle from Roger Mathias, Furzy Mount Farm, Camrose - This is the first time that I have contacted you, but the spectacle at
Plumstone last night has prompted me!!! Farming just 2 miles south-east of
the conifer plantation, I regularly watch the roost. As usual yesterday evening, I
found that I needed 3 pairs of eyes. Whether to watch the flocks
arriving at the trees, being harassed by goshawks or to track the
peregrines which tower above the flocks as they stream in over our land.
Clear skies, hardly a breath of wind and a 'photoshop' sunset sky
created a spectacle as good as could be witnessed.
There
was an added thrill for me, as two peregrines clashed, with
lots of screeching, right above my head, for a minute or more, before
singling out separate flocks to attack. I think there were 4 peregrines
around, 4 buzzards, 1 goshawk along with 1 distant hen-harrier.
There
were other observers, at Plumstone Rock itself, plus at least two cars
right beneath the swirling flocks, parked next to the plantation. I
would be interested to hear of any of their sightings, if submitted. I
would concur with the 'guesstimate' of at least one million birds. Some
of the arriving flocks tonight were immense.
