Movement of Rooks?

[hobble]

For the last week or so the Rooks which live at the top of the hill have spread down towards my house, they did this last year also. This afternoon when I came home from work my garden was carpeted in them.
I read somewhere that after their broods they like to feed on grassland and wonder if any one has any information about this.
We have a small area of grass with a water course running through which they may be attracted to.
Also when will they ever learn to sing properly?
They remind me of a lot of people arguing with each other, continually!
I have taken to running into the garden waving tea towels to scare them off.
Are they a threat to fledglings?
Thanks.

[Jenny W]

Rooks breed rather early (return to Rookery by Feb and on eggs by March) and they only have one brood a year, so most will have finished breeding by now and the young fledged off. As you say, the birds you are seeing will be fledged youngsters and adults dispersing from the Rookery after breeding.

Their predominent food is earthworms/larvae such like, but they have a very diverse diet like most Corvids. I've no doubt that they would take fledglings if the opportunity arose, but after all, this is nature - Rooks need to eat too

[Digit]

I've got a Rookery in my garden and I certainly haven't seen any evidence of any fledglings being taken, so far.

Roy.

[hobble]

Thanks for the info, are you used to the noise Digit?
Thanks also Jenny, I imagine they are all spreading their young wings around my house. Thought they may be eating insects from the grass.
I do hope they move back home though!!! I can't hear the little birds anymore.

[Digit]

Yes, eventually! There's no doubt about it they can make a fair old din.
Apparently the largest Rookery is in a Yorkshire church yard, some 5000 nests. I'll bet the organist can't beat that lot though!

Roy.