Starling Roost/Swarm

quinnos · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2010, 04:15 PM

Hi All,
I have never seen a large Starling Roost/Swarm and am very keen to do so. I live in Coventry but will travel. If anyone could point me in the right direction and any further advise (times to go etc), that would be great.

Many thanks in advance.....

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2010, 04:33 PM

There are probably closer sites, but there's usually a large roost at Slimbridge at the end of the year. An advantage of going there is you willl also see the wild Bewick's Swans + other wildfowl coming in for their nightly feed.

RobinP · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2010, 07:13 PM

The RSPB reserves at Leighton Moss (Lancs) and Otmoor (Oxon) are noted for their displays, which usually start around mid-November.

Try doing a search on here for starling roosts, there are a few older threads about this subject.

Robin

Picidae · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2010, 09:52 PM

If you really want to travel, then Somerset Levels boasts the largest winter Starling Roosts in the UK Discover the Levels

Check this link out - gives a good run down of Starling Roosts in Uk (and some nice pics too!)

BBC - Nature's Top 40 - No. 2

I'm lucky, I've got the Brighton one on my doorstep

Burko · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 10:29 AM

I too would suggest the Somerset Levels. I saw a swarm last year and it's quite a sight to behold. If it's not evidence of collective consciousness I don't know what is.

nightshade · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 10:44 AM

Westhay Moor and Shapwick Heath, in Somerset, someone suggested this website Foxy Biddy

burhinus · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 01:00 PM

If the Somerset Levels is larger than the Gretna Green one on the scottish borders then it is some roost. This has held over 2 milion birds. It is a bit furhter to go but well worth it and you can fit it in with a viist to the Solway at Caelaverock for Barnacle Geese.

There is a small roost at Lackford Lakes in Suffolk, Thetford in Norfolk and Titchwell RSPB Reserve, but as a previous poster mentioned winter time only.

burhinus

Picidae · #8 (**permalink**) 12-10-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burhinus

If the Somerset Levels is larger than the Gretna Green one on the scottish borders then it is some roost. This has held over 2 milion birds. It is a bit furhter to go but well worth it and you can fit it in with a viist to the Solway at Caelaverock for Barnacle Geese.

Somerset Levels (Westhay Moor) has reached upto 8 million so I think a bit bigger than the Gretna Green roost, it's not so high now but certainly up to 3 million or so. Starling roosts are unpredictable from year to year and much may depend on the weather both here and in Russia/Scandinavia/Eastern Europe where many of our winter Starlings come from. A harsh cold spell will push roosts south west (which is probably why Somerset has such high numbers?) and often roosts will move locations. Last winter at Gretna I think the numbers only reached 3/4 million. Given the sharp decline in Starlings, (50% over the last 30yrs) excessively large roosts are largely a thing of the past. I remember watching Brighton's roost when it was well over 200,000 (about 20yrs ago) but it averages out now around 30-40,000.

bazancik · #9 (**permalink**) 28-10-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burhinus

If the Somerset Levels is larger than the Gretna Green one on the scottish borders then it is some roost. This has held over 2 milion birds. It is a bit furhter to go but well worth it and you can fit it in with a viist to the Solway at Caelaverock for Barnacle Geese.

There is a small roost at Lackford Lakes in Suffolk, Thetford in Norfolk and Titchwell RSPB Reserve, but as a previous poster mentioned winter time only.

burhinus

Hi,

any idea about good places for starlings in Scotland (based in Edinburgh)?
guess Gretna is not a big deal to drive: any sign of sky displays this year? Where about would be a good place to see them?

Thanks,

bazancik