Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

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Is there any chance this will catch on?



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27132980

Unfortunately not I think. I gave up my seat on a bus yesterday to a lady, does that count?

You on the bus? Story doesn't check out.

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Tom,

Just wanted to say that I don't bother reading your Diary these days, it's all WI sort of stuff, & poetry shite, but the 2 blackbird photos are magnificent. You should have posted them on my Diary, imo. 

Blackbirds are in my top ten birds, they have such character. 

Can't say a blame you Tony. I don't bother reading it these days either.

What is WI btw? Women's Institute?

[tikay]

Tom,

Just wanted to say that I don't bother reading your Diary these days, it's all WI sort of stuff, & poetry shite, but the 2 blackbird photos are magnificent. You should have posted them on my Diary, imo. 

Blackbirds are in my top ten birds, they have such character. 

Can't say a blame you Tony. I don't bother reading it these days either.

What is WI btw? Women's Institute?

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Two early morning pics from the "lawn"

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

[Junior Senior]

Oh my. Starlings. Now there is a proper bird. Tough, feisty, sleek and unbelievable colours. I love Starlings

[tikay]

Love those two photos, Tom.

It must be summer, I'm pretty sure the starling's bill is black in the winter, & only turns yellow in the summer.

Starlings have a bad name, as they congregate in huge flocks, especially at night, in cities, & they make a bit of a mess. For balance, they give us (wait for it....) murmurations.

[tikay]

Incidentally, just 5 or 6 miles from where you live, in the car park of Leicester Forest Services, by J21 of the M1 & the M69, a colony of starlings have made the car park their home, they feed off food scraps, & have become extremely brave in the presence of humans.

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Love those two photos, Tom.

It must be summer, I'm pretty sure the starling's bill is black in the winter, & only turns yellow in the summer.

Starlings have a bad name, as they congregate in huge flocks, especially at night, in cities, & they make a bit of a mess. For balance, they give us (wait for it....) murmurations.

How far you've come...

[Junior Senior]

Some of those starling murmurations are just epic. You tube has loads. How the tens of thousands of birds don't hit each other flying at such speeds and in close quarters I will never know. It really is a natural wonder! I think the OP should add one to his diary... You know, to liven it up a bit

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.

[Tal]

Some of those starling murmurations are just epic. You tube has loads. How the tens of thousands of birds don't hit each other flying at such speeds and in close quarters I will never know. It really is a natural wonder! I think the OP should add one to his diary... You know, to liven it up a bit

Bizarrely, I saw a programme a couple of years ago on BBC Four about numbers (ok, that's not bizarre), in which they discussed starling murmurations. It was a Marcus du Sautoy jobbie.

This article discusses the bit I remembered anyway:

http://www.wired.com/2012/03/starling-flock-dynamics/

[Tal]

Found it! It was called The Code. Brilliant series.

Here's your bird bit:

[david3103]

The murmur action video was beautiful and the musical accompaniment reminded me of this

http://youtu.be/XPLp_gInC-o

Won't embed for me for some reason...

[mulhuzz]

caught this article on bbc about starlings being the most invasive/successful of Shakespeare's birds in America since being introduced in 1890 by a German immigrant, Eugene Schieffelin.

Interesting read. From fewer than 100 birds released into Central park there are now 200m starlings in the USA. Incredible.

[celtic]

You live near Leicester forest services? I pass that on the way to DTD. I could drop by and see you on my next trip up there. I'll ring beforehand. Gives you a chance to switch it off and blame poor reception😪