STARLINGS AT LARGE
One can't keep count of jackdaws about the chim- ney pots, although they are obviously fewer in number than they were, but the complete absence of, starlings from places where they were compara- tively numerous makes it reasonable to assume that they are back on the pastures, for starlings find a great deal to feed upon as the reproduction of in- sects comes to its peak. Native jackdaws simply cannot survive in a greater density than the steady number of year-round residents, and they and the starlings must total many times the number that bred earlier in the year. What happens to this great popu- lation bulge? Old birds die and casualties from all sorts of causes are high. A thousand starlings may roost in late autumn and the roost contain exactly the same number in January or February, but the late winter birds are an amalgamation of several sorely depleted flocks enduring cold and near- starvation. Luckily, four jackdaws hatched in our chimney pots doesn't mean a progression in similar terms next year. I shudder to think of the ultimate result if such a thing happened. Surely the day would be filled with the cawing of 'daws and the skies would be darkened by the passing of starlings as the skies of America arc said to have been darkened, once upon a time, by the flights of passenger pigeons.
Previous page
