Daily Express

Pretty in pink... army of startling starlings swoop into UK from Asia

- By John Ingham Environmen­t Editor

BRITAIN is being invaded by a gang of glamorous starlings from Asia.

More than 100 rosy starlings have been spotted across the British Isles this year.

The adults, which are the same size as our native breed, have a pink back and chest.

They breed from Siberia to Bulgaria and winter in India and Sri Lanka. Normally only a in gardens, so be sure to keep your feeders filled and your eyes peeled. They are special fans of fat balls.”

Paul Stancliffe, British Trust for Ornitholog­y spokesman, said: “In a normal year we might see a handful of rosy starlings, but every now and then we have an ‘irruption’ in response to food shortages or a glut of food.”

 ??  ?? handful reach our shores, but this year they have spread across Europe in large numbers, possibly following the insects upon which they feed.
Charlotte Ambrose, RSPB spokeswoma­n, said: “Rosy starlings often hang around with other starlings and turn up
East meets West… therosy starlings followed insects to Britain
handful reach our shores, but this year they have spread across Europe in large numbers, possibly following the insects upon which they feed. Charlotte Ambrose, RSPB spokeswoma­n, said: “Rosy starlings often hang around with other starlings and turn up East meets West… therosy starlings followed insects to Britain

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