A spectacular dusk starling flight, gathering and groupings, with silhouetted groups flying flocking, mumurate over Martin Mere nature reserve at sunset. Starlings in group migration, silhouette, swirling flight formation, flocks, swarm, wild birds flying shapes as an estimated 50 thousand starlings gather in the autumn sky. The murmur or chatter mumuration between the huge numbers of birds as they fly, is quite intense and is thought to be communication as huge flocks, the largest seen in the last for 12 years, are attract large numbers of wildlife birdwatchers to Burscough, UK.
During the winter months starlings will form large communal roosts to retain warmth and will flock in great numbers beforehand, this is referred to as a murmuration. As the light of an autumn day fades away small flocks of starlings will begin to join up, twisting and turning in harmony as they do so. Thousands of birds come together in some areas, the large numbers and intricate movements are thought to aid safety by reducing likely attacks from aerial predators. The birds will then drop into their chosen roost spot, whether this is a reedbed, another natural feature or man-made structure, such as a pier. The aerial display this species makes is incredible but the noise of their chattering once settled into their roost is equally memorable.
Size: 3600px × 2400px
Location: Burscough, UK
Photo credit: © MediaWorldImages / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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