In recent winters whilst driving towards Brynhoffnant from Rhydlewis I have occasionally been lucky enough to see huge numbers of Starlings fly over at dawn. I saw this amazing spectacle again on Saturday and Tuesday. I very roughly estimate that there may be 10000 birds flying over but it could well be more. They always fly SW and I presume they are leaving a roost. I only encounter them about now in early January and I guess they have usually passed by the time I reach Rhydlewis, sunrise being earlier.
I would like to know;Are the birds leaving a large roost,as yet undiscovered?What time do Starlings leave roosts in the morning?How far away and where might this roost site be? Where are they heading,do they fan out into the countryside?
Has anybody got any thoughts or ideas that could shed some light on this for me?
Ian Morris