This is the “Photo of The Day”. A I was going about my day, tidying the garden and pruning back etc. all the birds were keeping a distance. I noticed a Common Starling in the Apple Tree and just managed to rush up to the camera and fire off just one shot and here it is. They are remarkably well marked birds at this time of the year and taken for granted by almost everyone. This species was introduced to the US and is now widespread, I personally have seen them in Florida and New York State. I am not sure that most people in the US realise that it is not a bird native to their country.
In the UK they are nowhere near as common as they used to be probably do to environmental factors. The UK population is increased every winter by birds from Northern Europe. They are very good mimics and occasionally you will hear them imitating birds such as Curlew and Oystercatchers. I have even heard them making noises like children playing in a distant playground. They roost in vast communal flocks in reed beds and also in the centre of cities.
They are a species that has nested in the garden, well, to be exact under the eaves of my house and in my loft space!