SAFETY IN NUMBERS

Starling murmurations are one of winter’s most mesmerising wildlife spectacles, but why do these energetic little birds flock together in such enormous numbers? The most plausible theory is that it’s a defence mechanism. Predators such as peregrine falcons find it difficult to pick out individuals from the flock, making them likely to go elsewhere for their meal. It’s also thought that by roosting close together, they are able to keep warm at night. One of the best places to see the murmurations is here at RSPB Ham Wall in Somerset.