The First Fall Show in Thermal, CA
By Mark Miller | Published: Oct 15, 2025
Today in Thermal, I watched a dark ribbon of birds twist and fold across the open farmland. The Santa Rosa Mountains sat quietly in the distance, the morning cooler than it’s been in months, and the fields stretched endlessly around me. Then—suddenly—a living wave of birds rippled over the crops, turned, and dropped into the grass like a synchronized dance.
They were European Starlings, and there were hundreds—maybe thousands—of them.
As I stood there, camera in hand, I couldn’t help but wonder: Why now? Where did they come from? Do they migrate through here every fall, or live here year-round? Why do they dive into the grass like that—are they eating seeds or bugs?
What I Learned
These starlings are migrant flocks, joining local residents as the season turns. Cooler weather and shorter days pull them into the Coachella Valley, where irrigated farmland, date palms, and dairies provide endless food and safe roosting spots.
Their “dives” aren’t just for show—they’re coordinated hunts. The flock drops in waves to ambush insects hiding in the grass. Each bird jabs its bill into the turf and pries it open—a feeding move called gaping—to grab whatever moves. By moving as one, they flush prey for the rest of the group, turning the field into a shared hunting ground.
But they’re not the only hunters out there. Along the telephone wires and perched high in date palms, hawks wait—patient, silent, scanning for a break in the rhythm. When one stoops from above, the entire flock folds and whirls into a tight formation, confusing the predator’s aim. The sky becomes a storm of movement, then just as quickly, still again.
I also learned these birds are controversial. They’re invasive and aggressive, often displacing native species. Yet they also consume crop pests and remove leftover grain. It’s a strange balance—disruptive but effective.
The Takeaway
Watching them today felt like witnessing the first true sign of fall. These birds arrive early, work as a team, and take full advantage of opportunities. Loud, social, and endlessly adaptable, they’re built to thrive.
Standing in quiet Thermal—with the Santa Rosas glowing, hawks perched in the date palms and on the lines, and thousands of starlings moving like smoke across the field—I realized: the season has already shifted. The desert’s rhythm is changing again, and the starlings, as always, are the first to announce it.
