Friday, 12 October 2007

Birds flocking together in Autumn


I was reading Debi Cates 'Photo a Day' the other day and she had a pic of birds flocking together for the Fall in Texas on one of the huge telegraph pylons they have there.
I had never really thought about this phenomenon before but just now I looked up and sure enough we have our own flocking birds in England at this time of year. It being England everything is on a smaller scale, tiny flocks on tiny masts on terrace housing, surrounded by grey skies. Also my picture isn't too good but I didn't want to get too close in case I scared them off. I like the thought that at the opposite sides of the globe the same things are happening. Who knows, our birds might meet up at wherever they are going.

7 comments:

Bobbie said...

I'd like to hear the conversation when they meet. It would be interesting, wouldn't it?

lebanesa said...

Are they starlings? I used to love it in London when the starlings left. A whole flock of them used to fly round Wood Green shopping centre, one of the ghastliest places in the world, and settle in the tiny trees and flow up and over and round, making so much noise they drowned out all the traffic and din of crowds. Brilliant force of nature in an unnatural environment.

Bev said...

Frances, they probably could be. I can't imagine sparrows doing this.

Starlings are a force of nature to be reckoned with. If you throw some bacon rind on the grass it is always the starlings who will come away with the most, leaving the other birds on the sidelines.

However, I notice that they have a beautiful iridescent pattern on their backs, somewhat at odds with their street fighting nature.

Irene said...

I see flocks of birds flying over when I walk the dog, but I don't know what kind they are and feel hopelessly ignorant. I can recognize geese and ducks, but that is about it. I love how they all swarm together in one great big mass and know where they are going. It makes me want to fly and travel too. To be free and fly!

Bev said...

I was looking at one this morning when I was outside for a cig break and he has making not the most tuneful of noises so I think they are starlings!

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

I love overcast days like these, and the birds gathering for warmth. They look so neat all gathered in one spot. xoxo Nita

Debi said...

Hey, I just now saw this post. How wonderful to see the same phenomenon half a world away. Thank you for posting this, Bev.