Snack time

Many people dislike starlings in their gardens as they have a reputation for being greedy. But I am fascinated by the cooperation between them as they feed their young in our garden. This photo taken through a window shows only some that were feeding while several were on the grass and others waiting on the fence. Normally a clutch consists of 4 or 5 eggs but there seem to be several adults feeding about 8 young so perhaps these are members of the extended family helping to look after the very noisy young starlings. These birds with their beautiful iridescent feathers are fairly common and are seen giving spectacular flights at dusk in winter but they are on the Red list because numbers have declined by 50% in the last 25 years.
(The wire sides on the table are part of an elaborate protection to keep squirrels off it in a previous garden)