Chrissy, the ones you saw may well have been young starlings. They moult at this time of year and are a lighter colour, thats maybe why you don't remember seeing them looking quite the same.They will now grow their new glossy feathers.
Welshonion - you're so right about the colouring on starlings I hate them for their messiness, but the beauty of their 'oil on water' blue/green feathers is so striking. Same with magpies
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Starlings here, in N Devon are a real nuisance in winter. They swarm in huge numbers , get into the barns where cows are kept, feed on the cows' food and leave their droppings behind, which isn't good for the cows.
Not a fan, unless seeing them , unless it's a murmuration before they land.
I live in Devon and don't usually see starlings so it was a joy to see thease lovely birds. I quess I wouldn't be so pleased at seeing them if they where in my garden,a case of "not in my back yard" I didn't realise until now I must be a NIMBY
I'm in the NW and only see them in winter, when they travel round in large flocks. I see or hear them twittering in the trees and then they descend on the grass and leave it full of little holes and minus leatherjackets!
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Mudiford is the place to go if you want to see starlings, they are everywhere along the shoreline!
Chrissy, the ones you saw may well have been young starlings. They moult at this time of year and are a lighter colour, thats maybe why you don't remember seeing them looking quite the same.They will now grow their new glossy feathers.
Welshonion - you're so right about the colouring on starlings I hate them for their messiness, but the beauty of their 'oil on water' blue/green feathers is so striking. Same with magpies
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Here are a couple more (best to lcick on them to enlarge)
agree Welshonion, they are very beautiful birds especially close up.
Starlings here, in N Devon are a real nuisance in winter. They swarm in huge numbers , get into the barns where cows are kept, feed on the cows' food and leave their droppings behind, which isn't good for the cows.
Not a fan, unless seeing them , unless it's a murmuration before they land.
I live in Devon and don't usually see starlings so it was a joy to see thease lovely birds. I quess I wouldn't be so pleased at seeing them if they where in my garden,a case of "not in my back yard" I didn't realise until now I must be a NIMBY
Plenty of starlings in the northeast good for eating the leatherjacket grubs in your lawn aerating at the same time I like them
I'm in the NW and only see them in winter, when they travel round in large flocks. I see or hear them twittering in the trees and then they descend on the grass and leave it full of little holes and minus leatherjackets!