Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Baby Starlings

The above picture shows the first baby Starling of the year being fed by its parent in my back garden. This occurred on 04/05/14. As from today (06/05/14) the baby count has risen to 5, and the number of adults seen at any one time is currently 10.
It is dried Mealworms that they particularly go mad for, but they also like suet pellets (if there are any left after the Magpies have been down).
In years gone by, the first recorded date for baby Starlings is as follows:
2003 - 23/05.
2004 - 20/05.
2005 - 05/05.
2006 - 19/05.
2007 - 12/05.
2008 - 18/05.
2009 - 20/05.
2010 - 21/05.
2011 - 12/05.
2012 - 14/05.
2013 - 26/05.
Therefore 2014 now holds the record for the earliest, just pipping 2005 by one day.

posted by Tony Towner at 6:51 pm

2 Comments:

Anonymous Jean Willows said...

Hi Tony. Am enjoying the birds as well. Just seen a male blackbird feeding two chicks, they were bigger than him. I've seen a lone Stock Dove visiting the garden this year several times, which I believe is unusual. Have recently created a wildlife pond but as yet have not had any inhabitants other than a few water plants. Glad you're still going strong. Best wishes Jean

2:40 pm  
Blogger Tony Towner said...

Hello Jean
Hope you are enjoying your retirement.
I'm sure you will have great enjoyment from your wildlife pond, as we do. You will have pond skaters any day now I'm sure. We counted 3 Large Red Damselflies around our pond today - magical. Soon it will be Common Blue Damselfly season. I have seen the male Blackbird fishing for Palmate Newts, and pond dipping with my grandson is always a huge hit.
All great things to look forward to.
Thanks for your comments and lovely to hear from you again.
Tony.

6:08 pm  

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