Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 That's how many starling chicks I ringed, today. Few more broods to go yet too. It's amazing the difference just a few days can make to their leg structures. Short roll of jelly like fat, on Friday. Long, hard, thin, bony thing by Monday! That's not what I'm here for though. It was just seeing Fireman advising Spartan to ditch the old nest materials. Hell, yeah! I should say so! If ye could have seen the evil little black things that went racing up this birds leg, as I lifted it from the nest, today! Lice, I shouldn't wonder? Certainly not fleas. Too big for mites. F**king vile! That's why we're trained to be fastidious about Not allowing cross contamination, between birds we handle. Remove old nest gear? I'd double bag it and burn it! It's Alive! (Potentially) Urgh!!! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
j j m 6,546 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Doesnt sound nice mate Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malt 379 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Dirty b*****d things, don't know why so many people hold Starlings in such high regard.. Each to their own though! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted April 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 JJM; It Was f**king revolting, mate. I mean, these things weren't just like moving specks of dust shit. They were like Clock Work! Big as f**king money spiders. Very clearly visible. Urgh! Malters; I don't have anything, personal, against rats either. Wild creatures can't help the wild creatures, and even diseases, that parasitise them. Anyone ever tells me they have starlings in their roof space? My first response it to offer to make them some nest boxes and block the access to their roof for next year. Wild birds can't help their parasites. But, we can help ourselves not allow said parasites into the fabric of our own homes. Anyway, with your own deep fascination for sheep ~ ~ ye should Love starlings! They preserve sheep food 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 10,932 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Do you dust the boxes Pete? as common old cheapo ant powder is as good any of the exspencive treatments when dusting nest boxes,pans etc,look up the ingredients and there nigh on the same in most cases. I've seen some colour mutation starlins at some shows and they are stunning things when you first see them but like you Malt not my thing either but did have a pal who hand reared one and it could speak a few good choice words 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Malt 379 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 It's not just the parasites Pete, they're still a serious pest round here.. I can't put any food out when they're in town, they just mob the feeders and nothing else gets a look in.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 10,932 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Put a big ball of chicken wire around your feeders malt and it'll let the small birds through,as it goes my garden nesting box had a pair of coal tits building in it and a starling poked it's head in,they left it so i've chicken wired it up and i've seen the starling trying to get in but it got no where near it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
J Darcy 5,871 Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 In courtship plumage they really are magnificent.........I fancy hand-rearing one, one day. maybe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted April 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Do you dust the boxes Pete? Not personally, mate. I just rip all the old nest material out, come November. And Yes! I Do wear all out PPE! F**k breathing That in, or having something get on me and brought indoors! Anyone wanting to though? I suggest diatomaceous earth. Takes the guess work out of it Pet starlings? Never be a favourite of mine, mate. Messy f**kers. Shit for gold. I'd Love softbills. Just smaller, more discreet shitters. It's not just the parasites Pete, they're still a serious pest round here.. I can't put any food out when they're in town, they just mob the feeders and nothing else gets a look in.. What food are ye offering, mate? I offer peanuts, in wire tubes, year round. Yet to see a starling look at one. They can't eat seeds either. But, rats will. That's why I don't offer seeds any more. Seed eaters spit it and attract rats. What are ye feeding that starlings rob ....? Bread?! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Wilkes 3,024 Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Flat flies have got to be the worst..feckin horrible little things.Young Maggies are normally covered in em. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Raymond 618 Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Dirty b*****d things, don't know why so many people hold Starlings in such high regard.. Each to their own though! I have hated the things since I was a kid. Nothing worse than going out to get your lovely white top of the washing line with starling shit all over it. They shit everywhere Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tiercel 6,986 Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 (edited) Pete I am surprised that the starlings do not feed on the peanuts with you. I cannot put peanuts out here without them being all over it. TC Edited April 29, 2014 by tiercel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted April 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 TC; I put my nuts in wire baskets and can't honestly say I ever remember seeing a starling on them. Now, raisins or fat cake? Hell, yeah! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TUFFTY 1,476 Posted April 29, 2014 Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Starlings on nuts in my back garden every day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Outlaw Pete 2,224 Posted April 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2014 Good lord! They in wire baskets, Tufts? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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