Flocking starlings

jonwhitmore · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 06:40 PM

Dear all

This is my first posting on this site and was wondering if anyone could help me identify anywhere in the sussex/surrey area (I live in Croydon) where you can see starlings flocking in flight? It's something I've wanted to see for a long time and now I have a young daughter its something that I would love her to see.

Thanks in advance

Jon

rlchew · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 07:05 PM

Hello Jon

Firstly, welcome to WAB .... I am sure you will enjoy yourself here and find answers to all sorts of questions.

With regard to the Starling flocks, you will need to wait until the autumn and winter months to see this spectacle. Whilst the flocks are not as huge (millions!) as they were some years ago, good numbers can still be seen and they are awe-inspiring.

I believe that during the last winter the Somerset Levels had good sized flocks as did Leighton Moss in Lancashire but the nearest to both you and I was in Suffolk at Dunwich/Minsmere.

Others here may be able to confirm other sites for you.

Richard

svenrufus · #3 (**permalink**) 06-05-2007, 11:33 PM

Brighton, just down the train track from you, has great flocks. Don't think it is up to the standards of the Somerset ones richew mentions, but as a Brightonian myself, I take great delight in it, as a local display.

They start to gather in subflocks around the town at between 2-4pm - one of them regularly uses the elms and roof space around me, which I watch from the window where I work, the numbers is a sight, but the racket is a feast for the senses.

Then they head off down to the coast, and flocks merge to display over the ruins of the West Pier - if you get it against a good sunset, it is the mother of all wildlife spectacles, at least as far as urban settings offers.

Come on down. The waters lovely.
Cheers
Sven

jonwhitmore · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 05:44 PM

Richard & Sven,
thanks very much for the prompt reply. Ive been having technical difficulties logging in over the past few days, hence the lack of response on my part.
Im assuming from your responses that the flocks are bigger in Autumn/Winter but that they are visible throughout the year. Is this the case?
Thanks once again.

Crested Newt · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 05:49 PM

The biggest flock I ever saw was counted by birdwatchers as approxmately 1,900

svenrufus · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonwhitmore

Richard & Sven,
thanks very much for the prompt reply. Ive been having technical difficulties logging in over the past few days, hence the lack of response on my part.
Im assuming from your responses that the flocks are bigger in Autumn/Winter but that they are visible throughout the year. Is this the case?
Thanks once again.

Nothing going on at the moment. They all seem too busy breeding, in fact one pair are in my loft! The flocking does build in numbers over time, with small flocks being visible early and late, but you do really need to wait till the right time to make it the stunning spectacle you want to show your kid. This seasons peak was around November/December I think.

It'll be here before you know it.

rlchew · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonwhitmore

Richard & Sven,
thanks very much for the prompt reply. Ive been having technical difficulties logging in over the past few days, hence the lack of response on my part.
Im assuming from your responses that the flocks are bigger in Autumn/Winter but that they are visible throughout the year. Is this the case?
Thanks once again.

My understanding is that November to February sees peak numbers.

Enjoy the summer first

.

Richard

LindaB · #8 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 11:02 PM

I have also seen the ones at Brighton and its a fantastic sight. October is perfectly ok to view them and if you are really lucky you will get a wonderful sunset there too.

There isnt much left of the old pier now but its definately worth going at any time from autumn onwards to see it, its quite mesmerising.

Linda

jonwhitmore · #9 (**permalink**) 13-05-2007, 03:45 PM

thanks all for the useful info

svenrufus · #10 (**permalink**) 30-08-2007, 11:24 PM

Have you decided where to go to see the starlings yet?
The subflocks are beginning to gather down here in Brighton, and I have already seen reasonably substantial numbers get together as the flocks merge. I'm not very good at estimating bird numbers, but it must have been around 300+. It will only get bigger from now, so start planning.
I hope your daughter enjoys it