This thread got me back to Moore this evening - spent two hours at the eastern reedbed hide and was entertained by Jays, a Kingfisher, at least three Sparrowhawks, lots of squealing Water Rail, Little Grebes, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Herons and a Great Crested Grebe whilst I awaited the starlings.
When they did start coming in [from about 4.30pm] they were in small groups and a massive flock of birds was resting on the power lines to the east of Moore. Gradually some of them came in in flocks of a few thousand at a time to the reeds but there must be other roost sites nearby. Anyway as always a treat to watch and they did make some shapes - particularly when the Sparrowhawks attacked and then the "lightbulb" as they dropped into the reeds.
Makes a change doing bird photography at 18mm...if anyone's going the track to the hide was completely flooded so wellies would be good after heavy rain!
Excellent photos and records, please send in our estimated counts to [email protected] It seems Starling flocks are much diminished here in the North West and we need counts/estimates at any sites. They used to be in really huge numbers, but now they have split into smaller roosts, presumably to accommodate the roost site, ie a million at Rostherne would flatten the reed bed in a single night and then where do they go, so it seems they are being very savvy and only targeting sites that can hold their numbers...
and that means several sites spread across the area and well spread out, so any and all roost site info is gratefully received.
also any Pied Wagtail roost sites are also needed!
Thanks Hugh
Happy to try and help Hugh - whats the best technique for starling counts - get a clear photo, take a count of a percentage of the flock and then multiply it up? The other issue for anyone counting from Moore is the huge gathering on the pylons over to the east as I'm not convinced more than a quarter eventually made it to the reed bed - some parties flew directly towards the Mersey instead I think.