Looking out of the window across the horses’ field the other morning I saw a flock of at least 250 starlings feeding together, with more along the hedge top. The season of murmurations will soon be upon us!
Our native starlings are joined at this time of year by migrants from Scandinavia and Russia, taking advantage of damper, softer ground where they can access the worms, beetle and fly larvae on which they prey. Leatherjackets (crane fly larvae) are a particular favourite, which is why smaller parties patrol the slightly unkempt lawn with such diligence. Starlings are not always the most popular garden birds, perceived as greedy or aggressive – my mother called them ‘the spivs of the bird world’ - but looking at them closely, they’re really quite beautiful. In summer plumage they have a glossy green, purple and bronze sheen, but in winter they show why they’re starlings, spotted with silver-white against a dark background. The iridescent feather tips have worn away, revealing the prominent white spots. The shape of the flank spots can help to distinguish this year’s young birds from their elders. Adults have more pointed spots, almost heart-shaped with a small dark shaft mark while younger birds have larger, less defined spots.
Spectacular plumage may be one thing, but starlings are noted for spectacular behaviour too. From November to February the family groups of summer join together and are augmented by almost sixteen times as many migrants. These large flocks indulge in the most fantastic sky-dances, known as murmurations, as they congregate before going to roost. Dense clouds of birds swirl, form and re-form making patterns across the evening sky before suddenly funnelling down to the roost site in trees or reed beds or on buildings. Scientists used to
believe starlings to be psychic to produce such a breath-taking display and avoid colliding with each other. The more prosaic science behind their ability is hardly less incredible. Each bird is moving at around 50mph, spaced out with 20-25cm between individuals but still they stay in perfect co-ordination. Every one is closely observing its seven nearest neighbours, assisted by exceptional peripheral vision which allows it to monitor between 300 and 340 degrees around it. Birds can rapidly process a huge amount of visual data, so decision making is almost instantaneous. Their nervous system is adapted to operate much faster than that of mammals, and the neural connections for motor reactions is very short to minimise reaction time – they can change flight direction in less than 100 milliseconds. I can’t help feeling if humans had the same abilities, driving in cities would be a whole lot safer!
Whilst we marvel at the sheer quantity of individual starlings swirling in a murmuration, the flocks we see today are small compared to what they used to be. 1,400,000 starlings roosted in Onslow Park near Shrewsbury in winter 1957-58, but only 1.500 in 2001-02. The species declined by over 80% in the last 50 years and is now red listed as a bird of high conservation concern. It seems their decline is due to agricultural intensification, particularly pasture management. The loss of permanent pasture, drainage of damp meadows, the routine application of pesticides and prophylactic stock worming and high stocking density leading to compaction all decrease the foraging chances of flocks of hungry starlings. Starlings are cavity nesters, and nesting sites are also in shorter supply, with old barns and farm buildings converted to housing, dead trees removed along with the nesting holes they provided, even the old wooden barge boards along house eaves replaced by plastic.
If you’re a starling fan like me, you might consider putting up starling nestboxes – like giant tit boxes with a 45mm entrance
hole. Avoid using pesticides, particularly on the lawn or other grass areas, and don’t be species-ist about your bird feeders! Starlings love a good fat block!
If you want to head out to witness a live murmuration, keep an eye on social media for locations. Whixall Moss is always a good bet, with views possible from the hide at Charles Sinker Fields. Make sure you’re there at least an hour before sunset and wrap up warm. For the latest news on locations across the country, access the website www.starlingsintheuk.co.uk for a map of recent activity and to add your own observations. As a wildlife spectacle a good murmuration can’t be beaten!