'Lucky' residents invaded

Kerry Ashdown

AROUND 10,000 starlings have taken up residence in North Stafford - creating a treat for twitchers but perils for residents.

starlingsThe birds have been roosting in evergreen trees in the Fernwood area of Holmcroft for the past four weeks, creating a spectacle at dusk when thousands take to the skies above.

But Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) spokeswoman Louise Pederson said Staffordians were privileged to have such a sight."

But Fernwood residents said they have suffered four weeks of problems including evening bird dropping barrages and sleepless nights because of the noise from the trees.

Dawn Johnson has been cleaning her car and driveway every day but they are covered in bird mess just hours later. Lisa Buffey added that she cannot allow her children, four-year-old Amelia and 22-month-old Logan, to play in the garden because of concerns about the droppings.

But Ms Pederson said the birds, which come from Eastern Europe to escape harsh winter conditions, were likely to be returning to the continent within the next few weeks.

She added: "People in Stafford are very lucky to have them - the mass flights are a spectacular sight which people don't tend to experience any more."