Saw my first 2010 Bumble bee yesterday afternoon (15th).
Regarding Starlings, we have been under one of the the 'roost routes' for the Mydroilyn Starlings for the last 8 years, though the numbers seem to have dropped the last two years and to have split into smaller groups going to roost. We used to have some pretty large flocks going over.
They seem to evolve a set pattern - when they first arrive, on fine evenings, they fly in very high, after a few days they go through a short period of hedge-hopping, the birds at the back flying over the flock to the front and then over the field boundaries in the same way and in the last phase (just a few days) they all gather to sing in the trees before lifting off. In the Spring they appear to do it all again in reverse order. Arrival and departure always seems to be close the to retard and advance of the clocks.
Finally, on 3 or 4 occasions, in the large Hawthorn bush above the feeders, I have noticed a female Siskin begging/'kissing' a male. Whatever it is she 'nibbled' around his bill! Can anyone say if they do beg, if so for regurgitated seeds, or what is this behaviour?
David, Felinfach