Many will be familiar with the local nests in their house or that of the neighbours. There are usually 4-5 near me and you can hardly miss them when they are active. This year - nothing. Has anyone else become aware of this this year? I know it is hardly a scientific assessment of population decline but I am interested in anyone else's observations.
We've had them nesting in the eaves - for the first time ever. Five neighbours who've had them previous years have had them back as well.
Last winter they roosted in our roof over night. That's all they're doing now as well but only on cold/wet evenings.
We were just commenting at the weekend how many Starlings are around this year (Seamer). We have had the usual first brood (fledged 20th May 2016) and now for the first time, we have a second brood that are just about to leave. They are going through mealworms like nobodies business. Plus we have had at least 2 pairs of Tree Sparrows that are on second broods. The Blue/Great/Coal tits didn't appear to have very successful years at least around here!
Starling numbers are up in my area in Norton.
Didn't see any nests in/around my house (as per usual) but have seen several families visiting garden feeders (over 30 birds at times, most of them juveniles).