I used to shoo the greedy sods off as the other birds hadn't'a chance. I hope I didn't shoo too much as I never see one these days
2007-03-26 00:15:32 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
you exported them to australia with the rest of us convicts and they are eating my farther-in-laws grapes. BEWARE - He is not happy!!
2007-03-26 00:28:29 · answer #1 · answered by jess 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Tough the starling decline in GB has yet to have a cause attributed to it there are several possibilities which could be suggested. First off they may no longer find your yard attractive so they don't bother you anymore. It's been suggested that at least part of the decline is due to more clement weather and the starlings don't feel the need to use people's gardens as refuges. Changes in agricultural practices may have lowered populations in some areas ex: keeping cattle indoors so no spilt grain, starlings don't have access to any insects normally associated with cattle etc. Destruction of some major roost sites, etc. Now whether it's one factor, some or all who knows? If you want to know more about possible causes recommend pages 27-29 from this article http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/resprog/findings/sparrow/chapter2.pdf published by the British Trust for Ornithology
2007-03-26 02:12:01 · answer #2 · answered by crazy.carabid 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The starlings need to eat the same as any other birds. I don't think that all those that migrating have returned to the UK yet. I still have plenty in my garden and because of the mild weather I appear to have some young as well. It is the house sparrows that are more of a worry where I am.
2007-03-26 07:40:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ours come and go in mobs. Haven't seen them in awhile, but I have no doubt the "greedy sods" will be back.
We had the same thing happen with the Common Grackles last year. Dozens of them hitting the feeders all at once. Then suddenly in mid-June they disappeared. Didn't even see or hear them flock by the thousands for migration in the fall.
With spring migration, I'm seeing just a few coming back. The Brewer's Blackbirds are also lacking in numbers.
Colorado USA
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2007-03-26 04:38:35 · answer #4 · answered by Icteridae 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Starlings in GB are decreasing in numbers. There is some concern about them. The same is true of your House Sparrows. I am not sure what is causing this.
2007-03-26 00:27:44 · answer #5 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
sparrow hawks goshawks peregrine falcons numbers have increased and birds like the starling on the slide its a shame cos starlings are one of me favs its been ten years since i seen the flocks like u you see on the carling advert up here in cumbria
2007-03-26 06:06:27 · answer #6 · answered by Adski 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yeah ditto, there's enough of them in Wiltshire.
They take over my bird table for the most of the day.
Very Alfred Hitchcock in my garden sometimes.
2007-03-26 00:20:55 · answer #7 · answered by DemonicaB 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The greedy feathery bastards are all in my garden. Dozens of the bleeders!
2007-03-26 07:46:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love birds but starlings are my least favourite - they're greedy little blighters! Funnily enough, I went round to a friend's place on the weekend, and when I arrived he was in his front garden throwing a dead starling in the ditch! So maybe they're a dying breed.
2007-03-26 00:18:59 · answer #9 · answered by long_luscious_lashes 3 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Thwew have been a lot of birds die because of West Nile Virus (being spread by Mosquitoes) for the past four or five years.
2007-03-26 01:05:26 · answer #10 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
We have plenty of starlings in my neck of the woods (Montreal). I am very fond of them, but then I don't have a garden to protect.
2007-03-26 05:40:10 · answer #11 · answered by evamariehoople 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋