Neighbours' public health fears as starlings return to roost

But for people living in Kent Square, Great Yarmouth, starlings roosting in the trees in the centre of the residential area create months of havoc with their incessant noise and droppings.

With large populations choosing to spend the winter months nestled inside the holm oak trees, homeowners in Kent Square have been battling the problem for the past five years with audible deterrents, lasers and tree trimmings.

A slurry of water, mud and layers upon layers of starling effluvia in the middle of Kent Square. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Great Yarmouth Borough Council, which last trimmed the holm oaks as part of their routine tree maintenance in 2022, said it continues to monitor the situation.

Homeowner Clelia Momeni said: "The starlings are a pain. The tree lopping helped, but the council needs to keep up with it.

"It's a disgusting thing to look at. It stinks and it's dangerous for kids in the area."

Clelia Momeni said car cleaning and window cleaning expenses are mounting after the constant mess left behind by the nearby starlings. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)After the daily school run, homeowner Kelly Jones said she and her children have to wait in the car for 30 minutes while the birds return to their nests.

"We get back at about 4pm and the starlings are circling constantly," said Ms Jones.

"If you leave while they're about, you end up ducking for cover.

"It's like an Alfred Hitchcock film."

A car covered in starling mess caused by the Kent Square flock in 2022. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)Ms Jones said the number of birds and the mess they create is a cause for concern when her children play outside.

"My children can't play in the middle of the square due to the poo," she said. "There must be layers upon layers of bird muck on the green.

"It stinks, and the amount of germs in that area is really worrying."

Starling mess left underneath the holm oak trees in Kent Square. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)

Both Ms Jones and Ms Momeni emphasised they did not wish to see the demise of the birds or the trees in the centre of Kent Square.

"We just want less nesting birds here," said Ms Momeni.

"The amount in there is crazy. They screech constantly at night, and the trees are deteriorating.

"The birds are protected, but so are the trees. And they're being destroyed."

Starling mess covering the foliage of some of the holm oaks in Kent Square. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)A Great Yarmouth Borough Council spokesperson said: "The council has investigated the situation in relation to birds in Kent Square.

"However, given the number of starlings roosting there is currently not significant and they are anticipated to move on in the next few weeks, we will continue to monitor the situation and consider if further action would be appropriate should the issue escalate."