The Lincolnshire Bird Club

MSQ: 16.30 - 18.10

Long-eared Owl - 1
Common Buzzard - 1
Common Snipe - 1
Common Redshank - 1
After checking the 100s of Greylag located a single Pink-footed Goose.
Plus the usual.

As I was walking past the northern end of the Grebe Lake I became aware of a large amount of Starlings overhead. To start with I estimated there was about 10,000, they landed on the pylon and overhead wires immediately to the east of the lake. As I continued walking other flocks came from the west and joined the big flock.

As I stood looking east where the old Grebe Hide once was, I could see the birds over towards the fishing ponds. The size of the main flock was getting massive.

On arriving back at the car, I now realised I was witnessing a spectacular sight, one of which I'd never seen before, except on the television!

Having never seen so many birds together, it is hard to put numbers to them. From the car park I saw the flock go in a southerly direction over the pylon and then I looked towards the dipping platform, and could still see the flock going south. Then they all flew back and forth. And still other flocks came from the west to join the main flock.

Why I left my camera at home is a mystery

My guestimate of the size of the flock is upwards of 100,000. Will go tomorrow armed with camera.

To describe what I saw has to be breathtaking To see these aerial manoeuvres close by was stunning.

Most of you will have seen during your years of birdwatching, similar sights, but for me this evening, it was a first.

Max

I always keep a disposable camera in my handbag - you never know!

Thats about 1% of the UK population !

Trev

I understand that late last December a estimated 250,000 starlings roosted in Essex (Nr Southend), as reported by Essex Wildlife Trust official on the BBC.

I also read somewhere that the UK population of Starling can more than double with migrant birds arriving this time of year.

100,000 seems high but they do fly from miles around to roost.

If I get on well with the decorating today I might just pop up and have a look myself this evening.

typical,left msq that day early afternoon,around 15.45!!!
rog.

Arrived late afternoon at 16.45 with camera etc. Positioned myself behind the brambles where the old Grebe Hide was. Set up camera on tripod. Had bins and scope ready then sat on seat and waited. The first murmuration of Starlings arrived at 17.10, they circled the pylons and flew towards the Duck Lake.

From where I was sat until 17.45 I counted 35 flocks of Starling coming from a southerly direction. No idea how many came from the other directions. Just my luck only a few thousand actually came back to the pylons. They must have roosted at the reedbeds or plantation. Typical.

Other birds seen from my position:

Curlew - 24 [going north]
GSW - 1 [in car park]
Long-tailed Tit - 12
Wren - 1
Kestrel - 1

No sign of LEO.

Max

100,000 at MSQ seems over the top to me. Do you know how to count birds ?
I've clued you up lots of times on the Scunthorpe Sinter Plant roost, but you need a hearing aid ! You can witness an identical spectacle almost every evening weather permitting, standing alongside Brigg Road opposite the brick Sinter Plant stack and with the added bonus of regular Peregrines.

YAWN !

Dave

Knew you would have to stick your five-bobs worth in.

Why on earth would I want to stand alongside Brigg Road breathing in all the fumes from the 100s or maybe 1000s of vehicles that travel on one of Scunnys busiest roads I'd much sooner spend my time at MSQ, at least it's cleaner.

Toodle loo.

Must have been a great site to see Max although I fail to see why some people have to make "funny" comments on this message board(not you Max), I've seen it a number of times and TBH it all comes across as slightly childish

John

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TAKE ONLY PHOTOGRAPHS, LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS

But then again John there are plenty on these forums who simply don't seem to understand humour and this just comes across as being quite boring

I'm not one of them - as an atheist I can happily live without faith or religion, but a world without humour would be intolerable.....

I understand humour very well, but obviously don't know the people involved who are making comments, therefore it's difficult to judge whether people are being serious or not! I'm sure the casual observer looking in thinking about joining the forum may think twice if he/she feels people may be funny with them!

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TAKE ONLY PHOTOGRAPHS, LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS

After almost a week away from the computer, thought I'd check out the Forum.

First port of call was of course Bird Sightings, I noticed my thread titled "Breathtaking" was missing Wondered why, had I used an expletive or libelled someone, I don't do that sort of thing, so thought there must be another reason

Could it be the admin team had put it in another section? So started looking for it, and bob's your uncle, found it in the Chat Section, again wondered why Because it's turned in to a free for all,

In answer to John,

I don't care if those who answer my thread are sarcastic or funny, at least they have taken the time to read what I have taken the time to write.

Now I'll catch up with the rest of the forum, and see if any of it can make me laugh, none of it did last time I was on.

Toodle loo

If it's laughs you're after, stick to the chat section. The remainder of the Forum is (hopefully) for sightings and informed dialogue on all facets of wildlife.

For Xmas I'll donate you one of my chuckle muscles, yours has obviously gone missing

There are so many bad things happening in the World, and the shooting of those two Hen Harriers on the Sandringham Estate, surely you don't begrudge me looking for a laugh on the Chat Section. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Chat section your idea in the first place?