tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482140050301347403.post2532440585344221918..comments2023-12-12T21:00:42.130+01:00Comments on From a Tuscan Hillside: Birds in WinterAcanthushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03118790079140854402noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482140050301347403.post-49713376036819013312013-02-04T13:48:05.041+01:002013-02-04T13:48:05.041+01:00Another friend writes how 100mph winds in France h...Another friend writes how 100mph winds in France have not managed to ground the birds:<br />"The horses are patient as ever, the hens struggle around gamely with feathers blown out in all directions, and one of those magnificent giant flocks of starlings is right now being tossed over the sky above the house, but remains valiantly airborne..."<br />I have a feeling they were using the wind to their advantage....Upupa Epopshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12364421353747257006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482140050301347403.post-13254266977316594792013-02-01T16:25:00.759+01:002013-02-01T16:25:00.759+01:00From another friend, from Settignano:
I have that...From another friend, from Settignano:<br /><br />I have that same wonder when I see the starlings - they have just begun swarming again up here. On a walk the other day, there was suddenly that tremendous whooshing sound, and when I looked up - there they were, probably 100’s, all perched on one of the overhead electric wires, their small dark profiles a little eery!Upupa Epopshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12364421353747257006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2482140050301347403.post-48507015441875381042013-02-01T15:31:53.628+01:002013-02-01T15:31:53.628+01:00From a friend and neighbour:
You were spot on for...From a friend and neighbour:<br /><br />You were spot on for they were massed in the thousands this morning. They were chattering away as if it were the end of the world, and suddenly they were suctioned up into the sky then settled again, gossiping furiously. Then another upward explosion and over the house they flew, dropping brown cacche by the kilo. Fortunately we were standing in the doorway of the house.<br />The locals have seen starlings for time eternal. They usually stayed in the plains where grain was cultivated. Our neighbour has theorized that they have moved to upper elevations for lack of food at lower elevations. Thank goodness it's not cherry season. Nothing would be left.<br />Upupa Epopshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12364421353747257006noreply@blogger.com