Starling Roosts & the Law - Help!

[tigger]

Hi

Wonder if anyone can help me.

We have a large Starling Roost in a front garden down the road (urban location - 1/2 mile from fields) in Corfe Mullen. It's in a stand of Bamboo in the front garden of a small block of flats.

The number of starlings roosting in it has risen dramatically in the last week or so and the neighbours are complaining! (why????) They have asked the flats to chop the roost down and apparently they have agreed.

Is there anything I can do to save the roost? During the rest of the year it is used by sparrows and starlings (a few hundred). At the moment it seems to be 1000's.

Not sure how I stand with this one. I know starlings are in decline elsewhere, but are their roosts protected? I have no idea...

I'm going to have to move quickly on this one. Help...

Thanks

Jane

[Picidae]

As far as I know, since they are not a Schedule 1 Listed species (protected at all times under the WCA) and not nesting (all species then protected), I doubt the Law will be of any help. Others may know different of course. (If it were a Bat roost, that would be different!)

I wouldn't worry too much, they'll just relocate anyway and it sounds a very small roost in the bigger scheme of things. Bamboo isn't a native species, so no great loss there IMO, perhaps something more beneficial to birds/insects will be planted in it's place

[tigger]

It may not be a native species... but round here any species is welcomed by the wildlife! It would be a shame to lose it as it is used as a roost by sparrows and starlings all year round and has been for several years. I think it's just the large numbers (1000's) that are putting the neighbours off! Shame they can't appreciate them as a "natural wonder" on their doorstep! One idea is that they have come slightly inland as they have a large roost at Poole on the harbour (we are a bit more sheltered in Corfe Mullen). I wouldn't be surprised if they moved on (can't be much fun being holed up with several 1000 other birds in a small place!)

I'm going to contact Dorset WT to see what they think, but any other ideas welcome.

Jane

[Pippa]

As it has been used for several years without any hassle,i think it is really sad.Unless you can muster up support from the locals though i don't think you stand much chance tigger.All you can do is ring the RSPB and Dorset WL and any other animal centre you can think of.Good idea to contact your local newspaper too as that could speed up support if they do a story.

The best of luck from me though.Please keep us informed .

[Picidae]

Originally Posted by tigger

It may not be a native species... but round here any species is welcomed by the wildlife!


Jane

Well that's not quite what i meant - you said it would be chopped down and I said as a positive, something that would provide a greater diversity of habitat to insects/birds etc might be grown in it's place. Native trees/plants provide a greater abundance of food and nesting habitat than bamboo. I don't doubt the existing bamboo is doing a sterling job of providing roost cover. I was just giving an optimistic slant on what would happen if the bamboo was cut down.

Here, I have lived with a massive starling roost in the town for the past 30years - Starlings will re-locate very willingly if they loose their roost space. In 1987, we lost half the roost as a result of the storm. They re-located and the next roost was burnt down. The existing roost has got so large, some have re-located yet again starting new and smaller roosts elsewhere. There's never a shortage of roosting spaces in urban areas - it's nesting habitat that's short!

The law probably won't help you, but perhaps you could get the local press to do a cover - arguing that it shouldn't be destroyed on emotive grounds (I agree it's seems a shame for the Starlings) until the end of the Starling roost period which will be around end February to end of March. Perhaps the topical subject of 'cold weather' might influence people.

[tigger]

Yes, good point re the native planting diversity. Funnily our garden is really old mature garden (full of lots of cover and natives) and yet I hardly ever see a starling in my garden. Bullfinches, treecreepers and woodpeckers yes! Starlings and sparrows no! (if only I could move the roost into my garden!)

Good idea about the press... they might pick up on it. Thanks all.

Jane

[Steve_In_Cheshire]

Getting the local paper involved sounds a very good idea. Good luck

[Adam Cheeseman]

No, roost sites aren't protected but the birds themselves are a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority concern species, if that helps sway any opinion at all.

Cheers

Adam

[tigger]

Thanks everyone.

Any other suggestions gratefully received. I'm going to have to move fast tomorrow to see if I can stop this.

Thanks. Jane