For the past week or so, the prevailing sound in my and my neighbors' yards, is the whirring of scads of starlings up in the trees - during most of the daylight hours - an unceasing, constant, annoying drone. I suppose it could eventually phase into a white-noise effect for me if I gave it the time.

I remember hearing this much 'murmuring' one spring in Schmitz Park in West Seattle. The hundreds of starlings were then heard, but not to be seen - it was about the only bird sounds my Seattle Audubon Explorers could hear and I think there was a definite lack of other bird species in that woods then, too, as I have noticed in my own yard for several days at least. Down at ground level, the chickadees, nuthatches, Bewick's Wrens and towhees seem to be carrying on as usual with their daily routines, but the sounds of even the House Finches are being drowned out by the speckled scourge. And good luck to the visiting warblers that may be coursing through the yard - they must have a difficult time hearing each other. Aha! Just heard that evening Robin song manage to at least compete, but in no way dominate, as it usually can. Go Robins!

Anyone know why, why now or why me? :-)


Barb Deihl

North Matthews Beach - NE Seattle

barbdeihl at comcast.net