We've got dozens and dozens of starling babies this year. I love starlings.

There's a certain lovely joy to watching them grow up. They start off completely awkward, being fed by the parents, looking as confused as Matt Hancock fielding a technical question in a press conference, but then get their confidence and start appearing in little youth gangs.

And then they become teenagers. And that's maybe the best bit.

Londoners: is there still a big flock at Kensington Gardens? I used to hand feed them for ages. Probably in a hundred tourists' photos entitled "look at this mad tall bastard"

Starlings are red listed by the RSPCA. Their numbers have fallen by two thirds in recent decades. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/starling/population-trends-conservation/

Almost every starling's favourite footballer is Fulham-era Geoff Horsfield.

Starlings often have a second brood so I'll be repeating this thread in July