Plumstone Starling roost

Byron's entry includes the speculation of a million birds mentioned several times recently by others.

In the early 1990's the roost was estimated to contain 2 million birds (see Avifauna link). This was based on a rough count made by a group of observers spaced out around 360 degrees. Each estimated birds passing in units of 1,000, the boundaries of their sector having been agreed beforehand.

Subsequently an unofficial conversation with RAF Brawdy personnel revealed that thay had been monitoring the roost movements for some time using radar. They did this to enable their flight schedules avoid bird strikes. They calculated that on average they were monitoring 2 million birds going to and from roost.

The 2001Pembrokeshire Bird Report quoting J. Codd, a resident of Dudwell area, estimated the roosting numbers had decreased by 50% since the 1990's. That means roughly a million of course but it would be admirable if current activists combined to conduct another coordinated count and bring the picture up to date.