STARLINGS

[Willpar]

For some reason or another my starling numbers have crashed. This time of year I would be putting out food around four times a day.With them feeding young. Now it is just one in the morning and maybe a top up in the afternoon. Am hardly seeing any starlings around here, not even in the fields nearby.

[Placido]

Sounds like my situation about 6 years ago

[Jacksparrow]

Conversely to Willpar I think my local Starlings have had a good breeding year if numbers of visiting Sturklets is any sort of yardstick. Each set of parents seems to have 3 or 4 following them around. The food has been vanishing at and alarming rate and I've lost count of the number of times I've filled up the bird baths.

[peregrine]

Still waiting for the first Sturks with young. Should be anytime now.

[peregrine]

First chick on Saturday morning. It came alone then the adults followed. Normally adults come in first followed by the chicks.

[Jacksparrow]

Heard a small thump this morning while have breakfast which we normally associate with a bird strike on a window. I went to check at the time but could see nothing. However while out in the garden a little later I became aware of a young Sturklet scuttling around in the undergrowth. After I'd returned indoors I kept watch and it came into the open and took a drink. It was walking everywhere but showing no sign of injury I didn't see it this evening so maybe it has recovered.

[Placido]

Hope all is well, Jacksparrow. The world needs more sturklets

[Placido]

Very odd. A sturkling landed toady right where it (presumably) had been the other day eating mealworms. Long time since last sturk, and quite a while since mealies were put out.
It must have smelled them or something ?

Aaaanyway, today when it landed it began to peck furiously at the lawn whilst jumping in the air and shaking its wings. Ants ?? And the ants were striking back ??
Good to see anyway. ..

[Jacksparrow]

Interesting to see your Sturk has worn off all it's spots. Not long now before the new set is delivered.

[Placido]

Thinking about it, isn't it strange to have just one sturk . They usually land in mobs but I reckon this was the same one twice.
Name must be Solo Sturkling .