STARLINGS MAY BECOME A PEST.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 June 1933, Page 8

STARLINGS MAY BECOME A PEST.

THOUSANDS AT PAEAPAEAUMU. Mr. W. E. B. Oliver. Director of the Dominion Museum, believes that starlings have reached the peak of their usefulness in New Zealand, and if not checked, may become a serious pest to fruitgrowers and others. Some idea of the vast numbers of these birds in this district may be gathered by witnessing the daily flight to their roosting place on Tokomapuna Island. Some years ago starlings roosted in the trees at Te Roto, near the Paraparaumu township, later perhaps on account, of their increasing numbers, they established a smaller colony in the blue gums at the beach, but in recent years their roosting place has been on Tokomapuna, Each afternoon they gather about the Kenakena Point to make their flight over three miles of sea to the Island. These flights are varied by, but never far,off, on account of -the weather. In the high' westerly gales the birds manoeuvre so as to fly into the eye of the wind, skimming close to the surface of the sea, often dropping in the hollows between the waves to escape the full blast of squalls. 'ln fine or southerly weather they 'fly higher, but in the ease of the latter winds, the flights are usually started lower down thjp coast, to allow for leeway. After gathering in the lupins and - scrub, usually thousands rise together to make the journey, although some pass over in smaller groups. It has been noted that a few birds turn back from each flight, to join up with the following one. On arrival at the Island in fine weather, the birds wheel and manoeuvre' with the precision of an army, presenting a wonderful sight in the setting sun, as thousands of birds change direction at the sam6 instant, then to make their final swoop into the taupata trees.to noisily quarrel over roosting places. Should it become necessary to reduce the numbers of these birds at any time, their communal roosting places, would render the task an easy one.