WOW! Thousands of birds on display nightly

[Ruth]

http://www.marinij.com/ci_4976254
Audio Slideshow http://extras.marinij.com/multimedia/starlings/
Starlings swoop and form brilliant patterns against the sunset over Terra Linda.

Thousands of birds have taken up residence at a North San Rafael graveyard along Highway 101, putting on spectacular cloud-like displays that have been drawing onlookers for weeks.
"They come in clouds - huge groups," said Brian McGrath, superintendent at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery on Los Ranchitos Road. "When you look up in the sky they're like a big cloud. It's amazing."

Huge Hitchcock-esque flocks of birds this winter have raised eyebrows around the county, said Melanie Piazza, director of animal care at San Rafael-based WildCare.

Last week, officials fielded 10 to 15 calls to the San Rafael rescue and rehabilitation group from residents curious about the wild-looking convergences. Some people are concerned, Piazza said.

"One gentleman was worried there had been a change in the magnetic field of the Earth," she said. "Mostly people are just wondering what's going on."
Identified by bird experts as European starlings, the massings, seen frequently in the area around St. Vincent's/Silveira and Terra Linda, gather in winter for protection and a reliable food source, said Meryl Sundove, a Corte Madera environmental educator who specializes in birds.

[OnMyWayHome]

So unusual! Here in NJ the flocks of Robins have returned! They usually come back in late March or so.....they have totally swarmed my yard and my holly trees......gorging on the holly berries!! I have never seen that before!!