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I was watching a flock of starlings this evening (6pm ish), they were near the Wandsworth recycling centre on the Thames, and I think there was a bird of prey with them. Unfortunately I didn't have binnoculars with me so couldn't see it clearly, but does anyone have any ideas what it could have been? The starlings didn't seem to be avoiding it/steering clear of it, in fact it almost seemed the opposite - as if they were following it. Any ideas?
No idea I'm afraid, they probably wouldn't be too worried by a Kestrel, could've been one of them perhaps.
It couldn't have been something like a Sparrowhawk or Marsh Harrier - and they were chasing it away rather than following it?
I've seen a flock House Martins harry a Sparrowhawk in that way. Singly, or as a pair, the bird of prey is a threat, but there's a lot to be said for safety in numbers - and flocks of smaller birds CAN act aggressively when they work together!
Just an idea!:)