Starlings and Robins, Winter buddies?

[dk1677]

We may have discussed it before but I have noticed this week that the Starlings seem to hang with some Robins that are still around that are stupid or lazy and didn't migrate. First time was early in the week (off my land) I saw 5 or 6 robins still around and there were some starlings off in trees. Then yesterday day again it happened again. Today I saw 2 Robbins on my pool cover and looked and saw starlings in the trees. I grabbed the 850 and got to a window as I was getting the 850 on the windowsill my wife shut the door to the room and the starlings took to higher trees.    I was checking to see if any had gone to my suet feeders and saw what looked like a HOSP , Got the scope on it and it was a male then a female came on to the suet so I took the target of opportunity and dropped the female at 25yds. ( I didn't bother with a picture for one HOSP)

[UCChris]

All the robins around here are gone. The starlings make themselves scarce until the first snowfall.

[cwlongshot]

I was out sitting twice today....not a single starling!!  I only saw about 8-10 hosps and a blue jay.

I see them around, but none in the yard today... The hawk was back cause my hens where REAL skittish about being out in the open. Funny to watch I haven't noticed them doing that.

My neighbor called me about a month back. Said she opened the gate and ran out with a broom as there was a big hawk in the yard!! I see them around but I haven't seen one in the yard. Guess they are there! 

I shoot most of my rats as you describe. I have to be REAL careful that doors are closed as momma has muffed more then one shot JUST as you describe!! 

CW

[dk1677]

Yea Brian the are so skittish any movement or noise and they are gone. I forgot to mention after the HOSP was dispatched they all bugged out. Very unusual for Robins to be here this late, a few inches of snow and cold temps too , 9 degrees at 7 this morning

[victorleewilkinson]

I have a heated wash tub for birds that need water in the cold months here in Kansas. I will have several robins at the waterer but soon starlings come and chase them off. I feed black oil sunflower seeds exclusively so the robins and starlings don't come to the feeder, nor do HOSPs. I think the starlings shadow the robins as the search for berries. My guess is they run off the robins when some berries are found. By the number of poison ivy seedlings that sprout under my grapevines, I am guessing that robins will eat the white fruit of poison ivy in the winter. I found a site that discusses over wintering robins here: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/robin/Food_Winter.html

[cwlongshot]

Your hosps don't like the blk sunflower seeds?

I use them too. Squirrels and winter birds reall seem to like them. The wife likes the jays and cardinals and they seem to like the blk sunflower seeds.

My hosps seem to eat the blk sunflower seeds.

CW

[victorleewilkinson]

Not until a heavy snow or late winter will the HOSP invade my black oil sunflower seed feeder. I suspect that since my neighbor buys the mix of milo, millet, wheat and other small-seeded blend of bird seed, they prefer his over my sunflower seeds.

By the way, when I had a black rat snake in my classroom, I taught my students how to put socks over the ends of clothes line poles and flush the sparrows into the socks. I had a never ending supply of sparrows for the rat snake.

Also, I have a trumpet vine that has traveled to the top of a utility pole and the sparrows love to nest in the tangles at the top. When I find a black rat snake, I put him on the pole and up he goes. The next day there is no chirping of baby sparrows.

Finally, since I put a scope on my RWS Model 38, the sparrows are pretty scarce in my yard. They must recognize that the sliding of my patio door is the sound of doom.

[chuckinohio]

  I put out only Black Oil Sunflower seeds in my feeders as well.

  I'm the only one around me that puts out seed, and every bird around gang rapes my feeders year round.
  HOSPs, Starlings, Grackles, Cowbirds, etc.................... they all show up.

  I literally have to beat them back with an air rifle... 

[dk1677]

Thanks for the link! It makes sense that the yellow beak devils would follow the robins to food.

[chiro972b]

Weird. I've been complaining of the lack of starlings on my property for weeks and this weekend I've shot four and if I wasn't sick as a dog today it could have been more. They've all come at the hands of my stealthy quiet and detuned AA S500 .177. Proves to me that accuracy is more important than power.