Sam Stokes says starlings are becoming a rare sight in gardens (The Argus, May 18).

You could fool me. I put up a feeding station for birds during the winter and put down dried worms for those which feed on the ground.

All went well – I had visits from blackbirds, bluetits, sparrows, a thrush and even a goldfinch.

Then, one day, a black cloud descended: starlings.

They came back day after day, bullied the other birds away and covered my patio and decking with their deposits.

My wife couldn’t even put the washing out because of the mess.

This coming winter I am going to the ponds to feed the fish instead.

RJ Metcalfe, Staplefield Drive, Brighton