There are currently twenty odd starlings enjoying the contents of my bird feeders (generally to the disadvantage of the usual tit and finch encumbents!). A family of five first arrived a few days ago but the word has obviously got around.

When I was growing up (some many moons ago now) there were Starlings everywhere and breeding in profusion in every nook and cranny. Over the last couple of decades they have been subject to huge decline as residents. Though I have to don ear plugs and the mess on my patio will soon earn me a good income as guano, it is absolutely brilliant to see them here with evidence of prolific breeding to boot.

There are at least four family groups here at the moment with the parents very busy feeding the voracious youngsters but looking resplendently irridescent in the sun.