Help Required to ID Daily Flock of Birds?

[Thamesside]

Hi All

Having lurked around this site for some time now (I'm learning so much!) I'm taking the plunge to say 'hello' and ask for help to point me in the right direction with regard to a large flock of birds that I see every day.

I live beside the Thames just outside Staines, Middx/Surrey border. We have been here about 18 months and.....

Everyday (I think without fail) a large flock of birds fly overhead each morning travelling from North of the river to the South side, then in the late afternoon/early evening they go back again. The flock is quite substaintial in that it takes 20 - 30 secs for them to travel overhead and all the while there is a striking humming noise. Sometimes the flock is split into 2 or 3 groups with maybe 10 secs between them. I estimate (based on no knowledge of how to estimate the size of a flock) that there must be well over 500 birds involved (actually probably more). They move across the sky at roughly the same place every day. I suspect the fact that they go over the river may be a red herring? and I'm sorry don't know where they start from or where they land.

My attention is always drawn by the humming noise which I can hear when indoors - I'm not sure if the noise is actually the birds or maybe the combined sound of their wings flapping (sorry if thats a ridiculous statement!). The wing movements are not slow and graceful but fast looking almost frenetic.

The birds themselves appear black in the sky and I estimate about starling size - although they could be bigger as getting a good idea of size while they are in the air is obviously tricky. They do it both in summer and winter.

I can identify the Canada Geese and Swans etc that go over fairly regularly and the birds in question are significantly smaller than these and in much greater numbers.

What birds should I be considering when trying to identify them?

Many thanks in advance

Kind Regards

[aeshna5]

It seems likely what you are seeing is a species leaving + returning to roost. The fact you're observing this throughout the year we can eliminate seasonal visitors such as winter thrushes + Waxwings which could be moving around in these numbers at the moment.

On size + the fact they appear dark we can rule out gulls. I presume you have eliminated Starlings? Maybe Jackdaws which would appear dark, but bigger than Starlings?

My gut feeling is that Ring-necked Parakeets are a strong possibility as though these are bright green, they can appear dark in poor light- they certainly move through fast in tight flocks + have noticed the sort of sound you've described + often fly quite low between + above buildings when they are coming from/going to roost. Sometimes the birds do make their distinctive calls, but other times fly through without calling. They do have long tails but this might be missed as a fast flying flock move through.

Do you hear the birds calling? Any details on shape? Any chance of getting a photo (doesn't have to be great quality) to help us ID these flocks?

Welcome to the site by the way!

[artdemole]

Could it be lapwings.

[Thamesside]

Thank you for your replies. Reading aeshna5's reply I realise that I did not make clear that they may well be Starlings. The thing is I have ruled them as the greatest possibility because I don't know what else they could be - not because there is something significant (based on my limited knowledge) that points to them. However the noise, numbers, does point to them doesn't it?

I will certainly try to get a picture - I'm sure a flock of starlings is not too interesting to many - but whatever they turn out to be we find them facinating and we listen for them each evening - you can almost set your watch by them.

I'm not sure if the humming noise is their call - will listen closely tonight

I will certainly look at Lapwings now and also Parakeets as I see them around here quite a lot - I wouldn't have know to consider these without your suggestions.

Thank You

[rossy]

my guess would be jackdaws ,as its the same up here , see them going in the morning then returning in the evening, but these are quite vocal, any chance of getting a photo ? rossy.

[htcdude]

Hey Thamesside welcome to the forum! You're lucky to live in Staines! I visit the reservoirs and the moor on a Wednesday before and have had some cracking birds there!

The humming noise you hear from your house, you sure it's not just your fridge?


As said they may be Jackdaws, I don't know if Starlings would make much noise flying over (but saying that I've never had large Starling flocks overhead)

Otherwise Lapwings are a possibility, but at taines I've only ever seen them flying over in much smaller flocks.

Nige

[aeshna5]

Of all the birds we've mentioned, Ring-necked Parakeets are the only one I've noticed making this "humming" noise when the flock has been close.

This isn't during the normal daily activities but when the birds are going to/from roost in very tight fast flocks. Sometimes if I'm on the road around dawn/dusk I see several squadrons of these (flock size can vary from a few individual to maybe a 100 birds, but most somewhere inbetween), for want of a better term, of these birds rapidly flying low over.

[lovecrawlies]

Hi,

We used to live in Staines and regularly saw flocks of parakeets (they even came to ourbirdfeeders sometimes!).

They are quite distinctive in shape, flight and colour, and whilst a single sighting mighting comprise just silhouetted birds, I think with repeated daily viewings, the green colour would have been seen clearly at some point, likewise the long tails. They are also MUCH bigger than starlings, and their cry is very, well, parroty. On balance, they are perhaps an unlikely suspect for Thamesside's flock.

We're in a parakeet-free area now, but do regularly see large flocks of starlings around the local pier. If Thamesside did an on-line search for starling flock videos, it might give a useful basis for comparison?

[Thamesside]

Thank you all for your replies.

Ran out last night when I heard their noise, with camera but it was pretty dull and the pics were indefinable. My husband says I have got the noise wrong - to him 'humming' does not describe it - he had orginally thought it was the mass sound of their wings but now thinks they are calling as they fly.

CWe cecked out Parakeets, Lapwings and Jackdaws plus looked at Starling flock videos on the internet as suggested - and we both agree it is Starlings. The shape and size is spot on.

I feel a bit embarrassed as they are so common - but your replies gave me alternatives to consider which has lead me to ID them(99% sure now) based on more than just a hunch.

Many thanks to everyone

[Wild-Woman]

Starlings are fantasic birds to see in a flock and many people travel to see them go to roost at night. Don't be embarrassed at all... we love seeing them too you know!