As a result of our collaboration at the weekend Ian and I were able to discover the location of the 'Mydroilyn' roost in a mature conifer plantation at over 800'. (So much for my opinion they would roost in a more sheltered position, but I'm not a Starling!)
They started coming in about 5.15. It has always been a puzzle to me that no one seemed to have seen the aerial spectacle of hundreds of thousands of Starlings prior to roosting. It did occur but for a very short time, almost 'blink and you miss it'. Lots of large groups came in from the South and SW, could not see those from the NW, due to the topography and a couple from the W. They were pretty well all in by 4.45. The weather was bright but not sunny and a cold NEasterly.
There were 4/5 Buzzards in attendance and a wily Sparrowhawk, which harried the incomers when it wasn't diving into the side of the plantation, flushing clouds of Starlings out in front of it. One of the Buzzards flew from the top of 15-20' high, trimmed roadside hedge with flat top, on returning a couple of minutes later it flew up again from the same position just as a group of starlings from the S skimmed over where it had perched, (perhaps ready to snatch any too low over the hedge). Will check that out again.
David, Felinfach
Sorry I forgot
Location - map 198 46 52