Starlings - where do they go? (1 Viewer)

[delia todd]

Now the first batch of youngsters have fledged, I'm over-run with Starlings all morning and most of the afternoon.

However, late afternoon (around 3-4pm) they all disappear, even though it remains broad daylight here until gone 9pm. All the other species continue to come in to feed, or can be seen around, Sparrows, Chaffinches, Tits, Blackbirds, Robin, Dunnock, Wood Pigeons and even gulls are loafing about on the roof tops.

But not one Starling is visible anywhere.

Winter time I know they go out to the wider countryside to join in some murmurations, but it's too soon for that, isn't it.

Any thoughts?

 

[Tero]

They will feed only as long as they need to. Perhaps they are very efficient? They poke the ground a lot to pull out critters.
If not nesting, they roost together.

 

[jape]

they are all in a tree above my car!

they must have a safe watering or final feedup spot before roosting. have you checked the local copses and spinnies? if not just going there for their usual evening gathering i would say food round the roost and flocking areas is short supply if they are still coming into your feeding, but that they maybe are an hours flight away hence why they leave early? its all guesswork though such interests me a lot.

my starlings are gone completely, as are longtailed tits which was a surprise, coal tits, tree sparrows and more. this tells me our backyards are good shelter and feed in winter but as soon as they get a chance they 'go bush'. your general locality must still supply their requirements whereas mine does only for local garden birds except in winter.

 

[owhy]

Nearly all of the starlings visiting my garden at the moment are this year's young who are now fully independent and have formed their own flocks.

 

[delia todd]

i would say food round the roost and flocking areas is short supply if they are still coming into your feeding, but that they maybe are an hours flight away hence why they leave early

Hi Jape.... that bit don't apply, as they nest in the houses locally.... I know that, as they're constantly back and fro getting mealworms for the young in the nest. As soon as they fledge, they bring them down to the garden here (why do they all descend on me, when there's loads of gardens about!!!?

They'll have another brood to raise once the current bairns are independent (they're still begging for food at the mo - mine are later than your ones Owhy). In previous years the young ones have continued to hang about until the breeding season has finished, then they all disappear for weeks. Presumably there's enough food in the countryside for them. But they come back late autumn!!

Well nearly 4pm and an hour ago there were about 20 about.... not a one in sight just now (15 minutes ago only four sitting on a neighbour's aerial).

 

[jape]

maybe they are running on Lithuanian time, apparently some migrated from there! ask Andy A lol.
or the land of the midnight sun, where it is bedtime while light?
i enjoy behaviour questions, hopefully some expert will know but if you dont, who can?

 

[Deb Burhinus]

Hi D

Purely anecdotal but post fledging newly independents seem, from what Ive observed, to form flocks of their own late afternoon away from the adults. Perhaps its a ‘socialisation’ rite of passage thing for birds that depend on roosting for survival in the winter months? Herring gull juveniles do this too.

 

[delia todd]

LOL R .... Andy is from Russia (when he's not in England). It's Jos Stratford lives in Lithuania!! And the only abroad holiday I'd had for 40 years when I went there. And that was 10 years ago.... and about to have another 'abroad' holiday soon.

Yeah... Starlings are the first migrants to return to Lt after the winter, and all the houses have Staling nest boxes up as they love seeing them arrive. Most of them have poles for Stork nests too.

Shetland has the 'simmer dim' too.... oooh now that's a place that would suit you lad.... very, very peaceful and no matter where you go there's wonderful wildlife. When I went, the sun was so hot the tarmac was melting!!!!

 

[delia todd]

Hi D

Purely anecdotal but post fledging newly independents seem, from what Ive observed, to form flocks of their own late afternoon away from the adults. Perhaps its a ‘socialisation’ rite of passage thing for birds that depend on roosting for survival in the winter months? Herring gull juveniles do this too.

Gosh, that's interesting Deb, didn't realise that. Think it will be only a couple of days more before these youngsters are fully independent.

Perhaps if they go off, the parents then start readying their nests for the next attempt.