It's Raining Starlings!

We have a metal roof with a fairly steep pitch, (as the building regulations lay down here in our village,) so when birds land in any number, they tend to make a huge noise as their claws scrabble for a hold on the shiny metal and it often sounds like hail on the roof! At this time of the year we have a multitude of Starlings around, either the European or the pied variety. The European ones were introduced into Cape Town by Cecil John Rhodes in 1899. Interestingly enough, they are limited to the Cape Province and have not spread into Gauteng at all, clever birds! When they are changing into their breeding plumage, the males look as though they are wearing polka dotted waistcoats!

Can you see the polka dotted waistcoat, nearest the camera!

I think a good collective noun for Starlings would be a 'squabble', as they are very voluble and gossipy, especially at 6 in the morning! Between us and our neighbours we have a row of Manatoka trees that are native to Australia and were originally introduced as an ornamental or shade plant. Sadly these are now classified as invasive aliens so nurseries cannot sell them. I say sadly as they are wonderful for our coastal conditions, they thrive on neglect, lack of water and high wind!!

The Manatoka hedge

At this time of the year the trees are covered with small berries ripening from green to red and the birds just love them! The starlings spend their days in the trees, bickering and carrying on, with breaks for bathing in between. Every berry is potentially a new tree, so they tend to pop up all over the garden, unless a passing bird drops one on your head!

A forest waiting to grow!

This morning I was hanging up the washing and I happened to look up at the radio antenna on the roof, it looked like a feathered Christmas tree with birds perched on every arm! Of course, as soon as I went to fetch the camera they all flew off! A few minutes later they were perched in their hoards on the old farmhouse roof, silently watching me, a menacing sight to anyone who suffers from ornithophobia! But, same problem, as I rushed outside with the camera at the ready, they had all gone!

A few stragglers left watching!

Starling take-off!

Talking of birds, this month we have seen three new bird species to visit our garden, the European Bee-Eater, a juvenile Greater Honey guide and a very unusual out-of-area-by-many-miles Redbilled Quelea. I wonder how and why he is so far out of his territory, was he blown, did he venture too far from home and become disorientated? We shall never know, but the sad thing is that they are usually in very large flocks and this male is alone as far as we can tell. He is very content to eat the seed out of the feeders that we have and is not shy to push the other patrons out of the way.

Look carefully and you will see our visitor.

Very exciting to notch up new sightings!