Starlings.

The Autumnal displays of starlings are one of the worlds most wonderful natural displays. At this time of year they put in an amazing display as they come together to roost. Watching their thriving numbers, it looks like we have a thriving British population. But a lot of these birds are migrants that find food over here during winter. These displays are hiding a worrying truth, the fact that British starlings are actually disappearing. Back in the 80`s the British population of starling was around twenty million, they were even considered a pest by some people, but they thrived in our cities and villages. Surveys have shown that our starling population has actually dropped by 80%. So what is causing this alarming decline in one of our most iconic of birds? Researchers are trying whats going on, like most animals the starling first year is quite a hard one. When they fledge they have to survive without the help of the parent birds, this happens after about four weeks. They join flocks of other starlings, this provides protection for them from other predators. They mainly feed on grass lands, they probe the soil for invertebrates with their strong beaks. But its surprisingly difficult for these young birds, taking time to learn how to get their food from the ground and to learn the correct technique. Its also thought the way me manage our grasslands could be a problem. Improved drainage means their is less moisture in the top soil, soil compaction also means that the surface is harder for them when they are probing. Turning from permanent pasture to quick growing grass species means less exposed grass areas. One of these or also a combination of all means that the starlings are finding it harder to find, probe and eat the food. When Autumn descends the pressure is really on as the migrants start to arrive, coming in from mainland Europe. Our young starlings will then have to compete with all of the migrants, which are more experienced at finding the food than our fledgelings.  So its likely that some of this will explain why there is a fifty% reduction in their survival rates in young starlings in the last forty years. The r.s.p.b are starting to research the starlings and their complex food and lifestyle issues, which is good news. Farmers are more efficent in taking away straw etc from their fields and removing some of the leather jackets(young crane fly). Let me know if you see any starlings in your garden,