Patterns in the Sky

Spring is the time to see this wonderful natural phenomenon. Words and pictures by Jeremy Flint.

It’s spring and starlings are swirling

MANY Brits travel all around the world to witness nature at its best, whether on guided tours, safaris, or island-hopping excursions. One of the most beautiful sights in nature, however, can be seen closer to home in the UK.

During early spring, you may get the opportunity to witness a murmuration of starlings, which has been said to rival anything in the Serengeti.

This natural phenomenon sees a flock of starlings – a group in flight, similar to the shoaling behaviour of fish, or the swarming behaviour of insects – fly in unison as a swooping

mass of thousands of birds.

This fascinating scene arises when the birds come together and manoeuvre simultaneously, creating amazing arrangements and shapes as they fly gracefully through the air.

According to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the starlings’ behaviour of grouping together is a way to protect themselves from predators, such as falcons and sparrowhawks.

It is believed that the starlings congregate in their swirling masses to confuse and deter their hunters, by making it challenging to target one individual bird.

Although starling numbers have been declining in recent years, you can still witness the mesmerising view of thousands of birds performing their aerial dance at various sites up and down the country.

The best times to see the atmospheric formations are at dusk and dawn. If you can, try to catch a glimpse of the birds displaying before they return to their place of rest.

Early spring is a great time to spot the large congregation, which generally starts off small and grows across the winter months as more and more starlings gather and nest together.

It is thought that the thousands of starlings who assemble prefer to stay in sheltered areas away from birds of prey, like woodlands, reed beds and

man-made structures. Once converged, they like to huddle up and keep warm.

Starlings are humble birds, yet lively and full of personality.

While they are well known on these shores, their migration patterns remain relatively mysterious – though many UK starlings are sedentary, remaining in the country throughout the year and only moving locally.

Alongside the UK starling population, some of the murmuration members are migrants from Europe, coming from Scandinavia and countries including Belgium, Germany, Holland, Poland and Russia. They come in search of warmer conditions, happy to leave the colder climates behind.

RSPB Otmoor in Oxfordshire, where all of these pictures were taken, offers a rare chance to see these majestic bird ballets. The Otmoor Reserve was founded by the RSPB in 1997, and is primarily wetland. It is a haven for birds, and a popular nesting ground where thousands of starlings descend and create beautiful murmurations in the sky.

Frances Barnsley, a local resident and avid birdwatcher, says, “Spotting a starling murmuration here is a breathtaking spectacle to witness. I love seeing the starlings fill the vast Otmoor skies and hearing their chatter once they settle in to their roost.”

With her daughter who lives nearby, Frances enjoys visiting the reserve with her grandchildren as a family day out.

Starling numbers can vary year-onyear. To avoid disappointment, be sure >