Starling

Resident bird to the reserve.

1957 - A new & very large roost in trees at the edge of the reservoir: estimated to contain 150,000 or more Birds. This roost was for one year only. (DEP).

??/??/?? - Maximum count of 2,500 roost in Pines. (DEP).

2021 - a mini murmuration seen in early November peaked to become a roost of 800-1000 birds in the SE reedbed by 26/12. The roost continued but reduced in size greatly over the next few weeks. They took over from Pied Wagtails that were previously roosting in the same place.

2022 - Roosting first noticed on 18/11 with 200 birds, numbers grew to 1,000 by 22/11, 2-3,000 by 25/11 and peaking at 3,000 on 04/12. The numbers then diminished down to 2-300 by mid December

2023 - Roosting first seen on 11/11 with just 80 birds. The numbers grew through November and reached a peak of 1470+ (counted from photos) on 11/12. This roost was abandoned in the second half of December. Groups of birds were then seen to assemble, but then move on, such as c.1000 birds flying low over the water on 30/12, but then not using the reedbed to roost.