Starlings .....

 Yeppers. I intend to dedicate an entire Post, 'just' to starlings. The ugly, dull, noisy, shitty little birds one sees squabbling over a bit of discarded fast food in the gutter.

 Do ye really view them that way? Think again. Here's one in full summer plumage:

 Courtesy of: Copyright Free Photos Org.

Would ye believe, over here, they're actually about the Last bird I'd expect to see 'In Town'? My idea of Town, of course, being two streets, behind every side of which is open pasture.

 No. Here the Jackdaw is the 'Street Bird'. Pied Wagtail comes second. Rooks are ubiquitous ~ but, confine their ground level activities to the fields behind the shops and houses.

 Out here, where I am? I've had a pair of starlings nesting above my Store Room window, for at least the first three of the last five years. Never even looked last year, when I had the windows below replaced.

 Barely six feet off the floor? That, to me, suggests a bird looking hard for a spot. That's why, this year, when I put a Nest Box up for them, I put it about twelve foot up.

Facing north. On the back of my cow shed, where they'd be left in peace. Starlings like their peace.

 Here it is:

 March 15th that went up. Had a starling laying claim to it by 7th April. About a week after the winter flock broke up.

 Past couple of winters now, I've registered ~ and recorded ~ that there's a flock of c.50 sticks around this area. Where do so many come together from? Where do they go, when the flock breaks up in spring? 

 I have no answers. But, having now rung the youngsters in that box this summer; Maybe we'll find a clue in due course?

 Anyway, within a week, that bird had a nest of Juncus Rush stems built. Big, deep, messy looking affair.

Funny how hole nesters, like starling and jackdaw seem to like filling cavities with rubbish. 

Here it is, look: 

Box stuffed, about four fifths with extraneous crap! Next year, all things being equal, I must try offering a shallow nest box too. 

Test the hypothesis; 'Do birds fill deep holes because deep holes are all they can find? Or, do they do it for some reason known only to themselves, yet prefer?'

 By 20th April, they had a full clutch of five eggs. I don't think Fabergé could improve on nature here, do you?

  Sorry if these photo's aren't exactly art works themselves. They're usually taken in a great hurry ~ so's to lessen disturbance to the birds. 

At arms length. Off a ladder. And, obviously then, 'Blind'.  I just get the best I can, under the circumstances.

 Anyway, all went well for 'my' starlings. I'd provided then with what I'd take to be an optimum sized box. Placed at a good height and in a good position. 

Thus, a week or so back, I was privileged to ring five, fat and healthy youngsters in there.

 They were a tad older than this, when I rung them. And, yes; They shit all over me! LOL!

That was May 13th. In fact, on April 18th, I saw another pair of starlings drooling over the occupied nest box. I set to and made another box there and then. Had it up within the hour.

 That second box was adopted by a pair about a week ago. I've since seen them dragging in the nest material. 

I suspect, right now, she'll be laying. She'll probably lay her full clutch just about the same day as the first pairs brood fledge.

 I built them. And they came! Have you any idea how fulfilling all this has been, is being, for me?

 Starlings are declining. Probably because they simply have no where left to nest, in this 'Rip that rotten shit out and slap some nice UPVC in' world. 

 A nine inch plank of rough sawn timber, and a few bits and pieces? Home for about three families.

 Want more information? Just ask :-)