Birdwatching: Starlings

According to the 1986 edition of the Kingfisher Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland, the common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a "highly successful and abundant species", and its status was reported as: "abundant and widespread resident and winter visitor".

However, the RSPB website contains this statement:

"Starling numbers have declined markedly across much of northern Europe and the UK. The decline in the UK started during the early 1980s and has continued ever since. Recent data from the Breeding Bird Survey suggest continuing population declines affecting starlings in England and Wales since 1995. The cause of the starling decline in the UK is unknown". And: "Because of this decline in numbers, the starling is red listed as a bird of high conservation concern".

See also March 2012 Guardian article under the heading Garden starlings in 79% UK decline.