I've been paying special attention to Starling flocks of late, partly as a result of scanning for Rose-coloured individuals (well sandy-coloured individuals) on my recent holiday to Cornwall, but also because they might materialise into Waxwings, especially after this weeks countrywide influx. So a quick sortie out from Barming to East Farleigh Bridge and back had me scanning and checking every Starlings. To be honest there wasn't all that about to check out - no winter thrushes in the South Street orchards and only a few Goldcrests calling from the Court Lodge Yews (South Street) and Rectory Lane Holm Oaks. However my diligence eventually paid off, not in the form of a Rosie or even a Waxwing but with three leucistic (albino) starlings. Albinism in birds is a rare occurrence, wikipedia citing the probability at 1 in 1800, but I had three albinos sitting on the wires above the orchard just east of Farleigh Lane/Rectory Lane junction amongst a flock of just 38 normal birds - what's the chances of that! Perhaps I ought to start doing the lottery again ;-) I managed a few poor shots (compact held against the eyepiece of my 8x 42 bins) but I think it shows what needs to be shown!
The trouble is with the breeding statistics you can never be 100% certain what the resultant progeny will turn out like - check out my second offspring below:
yep! you sure have got some wierd genes there Adam :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's the first time i've ever seen more than one albino at any one time Adam. Flipping amazing!
ReplyDeleteCheers Warren - I'm blaming the missus!!!
ReplyDeleteAd
Those albinos are extraordinary - don't you have any sparrowhawks around to take advantage?
ReplyDeleteI think you crossed the line with the photo of your son..... he'll get his own back, you know.
An albino Starlings, well, I'm flabbergasted.
ReplyDeleteAdam ,
ReplyDeleteIncredible shot of the three albinos .
Take no notice of Warren , he's just jealous of that head of hair your son's got .
Hi Kingsdowner, yep plenty of Sparrowhawks around here, daily sighting but don't seem to get the albinos - I had 2 last winter in a nearby orchard (presumably 2 of the 3 seen today). On the research station I've also had an albino Wood Pigeon for the last 4 weeks that refuses to fly! How has that survived the foxes let alone the Sparrowhawks!!
ReplyDeleteAd
Adam,
ReplyDeleteWhite Starlings, white Wood Pigeons, Warren also had a white squirrel the other day, is something odd going on in your part of Kent.
Will you have white strawberries next?
I presume that Cornwall was as good as usual.
Hi Derek
ReplyDeleteYep we've already got white strawberries, Ill post a pic later! Report on Cornwall to follow.
Cheers
Adam