Yesterday a flock of Starlings came by. It was massive. They landed in the trees and bushes behind my house. At one point they all came up in a ball of black and split as a Harrier spooked and chased the pack. They looked like a school of fish evading a barracuda. This shot shows about a third of them as this group dashed south. Can you count them?
Friday I had about 3 bluebirds swing by for a few minutes. They have the sweetest song.
Friday I had about 3 bluebirds swing by for a few minutes. They have the sweetest song. 
10 comments:
Hi Evie
Looks like over 1000 in that part of the flock. I love the noise they make in winter when they're all flocked together. I go down to the Somerset Levels where several million gather into winter roosting flocks. The noise as they swish overhead and the fabulous shapes they make as they swirl around is one of the best spectacles I've experienced.
It seems that the Bluebirds are doing well these days. Perhaps it's looking for next Spring's breading spot.
Wow, I've never seen a mass of starlings that huge. Although a couple of winters ago there were huge murders of crows that would roost by the river, when they lifted off in the morning it was similar to this but not quite as numerous.
93,735. anything else?
I agree w/ birdlady's count. Never seen anything like this - neat!
We have flocks of starlings like that sometimes in the valley. I'm with bird girl...I'm not a fan of starlings and the damage they do (especially to native species)....they do have pretty cute young though...:)
That's a pretty good shot of those starlings! I started to count but lost my place..lol, Love your little blue bird, he looks like he is thinking about the good ole days when he lived in a nice house like that!
Well Evie,
they have certainly turned up now and in some number, just as you were hoping.
I'd say Helen was off by about 15. Is there a prize for the best guess? That is one of the biggest swarms of them I have seen and can't image it only being a third of them. We get large swarms here in the winter at times. Great photo of them and I love that bluebird!
Thanks guys! Good counts...but if you think I have time to check for a prize winner you've got another thing commin!!! I agree they are not my favorite bird...but they are amazing to see and hear this time of year. I was hoping that Harrier would grab a few!!
;-)
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