Murmurations….What Are They Good For!

Discussion in 'Wildlife in the Garden' started by Sjoerd, Mar 5, 2023.

  1. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Popped out to the lottie for a looksy. I was met with a distinct smell. Everywhere I looked, little white and brown circles all over the ground. There were literally thousands over my entire allotment and all that was in it. Over the neighbours’ plots as well. Wot the heck !
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    I stepped inside the greenhouse to take this pic through the roof glass.
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    It was like that everywhere. Starlings. They have never murmurated above my plots before. It is a violation of my airspace. Well, I am just glad I wasn’t present for the air show.
     
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  3. Tetters

    Tetters Young Pine

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    I think you need some assistance there pal, I found this for you on ebay.....
    upload_2023-3-5_19-58-25.jpeg
     
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  4. eileen

    eileen Resident Taxonomist Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    You must have all our starlings too Sjoerd. I'm quite happy for you to keep them though. Less mess for me to clean up. ;)
     
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  5. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    Oh YUCK! Hopefull you get a good rain to wash that all away!
     
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  6. Melody Mc.

    Melody Mc. Young Pine

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    WHOA!!!!!!!! And I thought I had bad luck ( although my loving family told me it is good luck....) to have been pooped on three or four times. I can't imagine.

    Too bad you didn't see it from "inside" the greenhouse. That's going to be a sticky clean up on your freshly cleaned greenhouse. Very cool, but indeed very messy. I wonder if any photos were taken over your area.
     
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  7. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Yeah Tetters, that looks just like what I need… that and a shotgun. Haha.

    Oh Eileen, you are too kind. I must protest though. I couldn’t keep them past their sell by date. Are you sure I can’t just send them back?

    Netty— I wish it would rain off. The spots did look less permanent today.

    Mel— I haven’t seen any foto’s. It wasn’t unusual, just in a different place this time. I have heard that old wives’ tale too, when I have been a target. It is always those who have not been shat upon that come with the philosophy, have you noticed that?

    It brings to mind this little ditty from the past:

    “Birdy, birdy in the sky,
    Dropping whitewash in my eye.
    I don’t fret and I don’t cry,
    I’m just glad that cows don ‘t fly.”
     
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  8. Melody Mc.

    Melody Mc. Young Pine

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    Oh my Sjoerd. That was a belly laugh :) And you are right ...no one else in my family has had my "good luck". I certainly wouldn't mind sharing it.


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  9. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    Well Mel, that gave me a good laugh as well. Great pics.
    I am also willing to share my “good luck”.
     
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  10. Droopy

    Droopy Slug Slaughterer Plants Contributor

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    Oh, no, your poor, formerly very clean, greenhouse! I still wish I had been inside that greenhouse to look at the murmuration. There are fewer starlings here than we used to have just a few years ago. I'm heartened that there's a lot of them further south. Sorry they're a nuisance and making such a mess, but I'm still happy on the starlings' behalf.
     
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  11. Tooty2shoes

    Tooty2shoes Hardy Maple

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    Well all I can say about that is, oh crap. I guess as the flock flew over your lottie a car backfired and scared the poop right out of them. Or they were practicing a bombardier run.
     
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  12. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    2T — I lurve that sense of humour. Chortle.
     
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