Every few days I just happen to look outside at the very moment a large flock (or should that be 'swarm'?) of starlings descends on my lawn.
Every few days I just happen to look outside at the very moment a large flock (or should that be 'swarm'?) of starlings descends on my lawn. They really are quite a sight.
Unlike bluetits or blackbirds, which you might see in twos or threes, or sparrows, which come in small groups, starlings always arrive mob-handed. It's hard counting them, as they're constantly on the move.
And exactly what they're feeding on as they peck their way across my lawn is a mystery. Can there really be enough worms or grubs hiding below soil level to feed this hungry horde, and how do starlings know there's food there anyway?
In the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch last January, starlings came in at number 2 in the top ten of most commonly seen garden birds - just behind sparrows and ahead of blackbirds. I'm not surprised by their numbers. I often see groups of them in flight, particularly at sunset, when they're clearly looking for a communal roosting site - at other times of day there are none in sight.
All this starling activity highlights the value of a lawn in providing food for many species of bird throughout the year - it's a shame that so many people seem keen on paving over their lawn or covering it with gravel and decking.
Just think how many visiting birds we could enjoy in our gardens if fences were replaced by hedges. I think I feel a new campaign coming on ... anyone fancy joining me?
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