Flock of birds

[jennyb]

There was a big flock of birds in my garden this morning and I am not completely sure what they were. There were dozens of them, no obvious distinguishing features, blackbird sized or slightly smaller, brown all over. However, they were a bit too far away to get a good look or a photograph.

My best guess would be juvenile starlings which I believe are brown. Is this likely or can anyone suggest anything else?

I think they have arrived because the farmer has cut the hay in the field in front of our house. There were very excited about something, anyway.

Any suggestions?

Jenny

[nightshade]

It would be nice to have an insect hatch calender,my lawn was invaded by starlings ,the largest group I can remember seeing for a long time.Nothing was evident but there are still flying ants about,along with leather jackets and various hatches of flys, beetles etc.

[Storming]

Re brown starling-like birds.
Almost definitely juvenile starlings. We have the same here. There are so many that they are quite a pest, sending all the other birds off. Messy things as well

[jennyb]

The reason that I did not think they were starlings was because we don't see starlings here very often. Is it not unusual to have so many juveniles together without the parents? I would have recognised the adults.

Jenny

[canonman]

Hi
Have to agree with everyone else, sounds like starlings to me.
They are youngsters
Mick

[Diane E]

Hi JennyB. I read this on a web site about starlings:

"Juveniles disperse after becoming independent and roam woodlands and the countryside in large flocks".

Maybe you had one of those, then! I had my flock of noisy, mad hooligans about a month ago. I had to change loads of stuff round to stop them wreaking havoc not only to my garden but to themselves (strikes everyday for about a week). Its calmed down a bit in the last couple of weeks. Still plenty, but not quite so manic. So maybe that will happen with yours too? They are funny when they bathe though. And talk about noisy!.......

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by Diane E

"Juveniles disperse after becoming independent and roam woodlands and the countryside in large flocks".

That's interesting. I am sure that's what they were. They were really hyper, but I have not seen them since this morning. Maybe they were just passing through.

Jenny