Starlings have been raiding the Hawthorn bush behind our garden wall, since the fruit hatched in early August. Although I cannot reach it, and can see only parts of it with a lot of difficulty, I can hear them, loud and clear.
While the Starling party was going on, Rooks and Jackdaws flew in to see what was the racket about. And pretty soon, the Jackdaws would fly towards the bush from the top, and shooing off the smaller Starling. You'd think that the Jackdaws would then claim the larder, wouldn't you? Of course not!
no, the Jackdaws would sit on top of the nearby (our) fence, and look intense (I'd imagine) anytime any Starling showed itself in the area.
Juvenile Starling, Corvus monedula
Rook, Corvus frugilegus
Hawthorn, Crategus monogyna
These Haw pictures I took at the other side of the council estate. A little more than 100m to fly for the Starling.
Is summer coming to an end?
Hooded Crows, Corvus cornix
Pied Wagtail, Motacilla alba.
Barn Swallows, Hirundo rustica
This juvenile might have a few problems in flight due to its short tail.Another reason why it is not ready for a long migration to Africa yet.
Great Tit, Parus major
Robin, Erithacus rubecula
male Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
I do like the Starlings and the Rooks. The hooded crows are marvelous. We don't get them here.
ReplyDeleteStarling are lovely birds, as long as they don't overflow your garden in massive flocks, like you see in many cities.
ReplyDeleteRooks are great characters, and many people "keep" them as pets! I myself had a Rook fly into my room back in the forest. It would stay with me for the day and play with coffee spoons, and the like.
Hooded, or the Irish Grey Crows, as they are also known over here, are one of my favourite birds. Every time I post a Grey picture, I think of you, because you like them so much.
mind you, Jackdaws, the smaller cousin, I love too.