Mesmerising Murmurations – And Where to See Them

Starling murmurations are one of Nature’s most breathtaking spectacles, and winter is the perfect time to see them in the UK. Here’s everything you need to know about this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon, including where and when to watch – and how to give starlings a much-needed helping hand.

WHAT IS A MURMURATION?

‘Murmuration’ is the name for a large flock of birds, normally common starlings, flying and swooping in unison. Together, they create a spectacular aerobatic display that looks like pulsing, twisting and shifting shapes in the sky. The event can last anything up to 45 minutes – and when its over, the birds all drop suddenly down into their roosting place. The below (beautiful!) short film by filmmaker Jan van IJken shows a murmuration.

WHY DO MURMURATIONS HAPPEN?

Scientists think starlings form murmurations to help protect themselves – and each other – from predators. These huge, swirling masses are overwhelming to birds of prey, making it difficult for them to attack a single starling.

Murmurations tend to occur just before the starlings settle down to roost for the night – and some scientists think the act is an invitation for other birds to join the giant roost. It is thought they roost together for warmth, greater protection against predators and – incredibly – to share information about best feeding sites.

In winter, native starlings usually stay in Britain, but others from places with colder winters, like Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, migrate to our shores. It is the sheer number of birds swooping together that makes murmurations so incredible.

Sadly, UK starling numbers are in decline – keep reading to find out more about how you can help them.

HOW MANY STARLINGS ARE THERE IN A MURMURATION?

A murmuration can be made up of hundreds to hundreds of thousands of birds. The biggest recorded murmuration happened over the Somerset Levels in 1999, with around 6 million starlings taking part. But the BBC film below shows an estimated 10 million birds wheeling and whirling over Rome!

WHERE DOES THE NAME ‘MURMURATION’ COME FROM?

‘Murmuration’ is thought to have come from the Latin word ‘murmurāre’, which means to mutter or… murmur! It is an onomatopoeic word, which means it sounds like the noise it describes – in this case, the roar created by the flutter of thousands of pairs of wings.

Why Don’t the Starlings Crash Into Each Other?

Murmurations move fast, suddenly changing direction again and again. So, why don’t they crash into each other? It’s a question that’s baffled biologists for years – and in 1931, a leading scientist concluded that the birds must be using some sort of telepathy.

Science has come on since the 30s, and using computer simulations, researchers have been able to look more closely at what happens inside a murmuration. The birds don’t fly anywhere near as close to each other as it appears to the human eye watching from the ground – that’s an optical illusion. And scientist have found that the birds match the speed of around 6 or 7 of their ‘neighbours’, rather than trying to keep in sync with the whole (enormous) group.

When Do Murmurations Happen?

The UK murmuration season can last from October to March. But it is in January and February, when starling numbers are at their highest thanks to migration, that the phenomenon reaches its peak. Murmurations are an excellent excuse to get out into Nature in the depths of winter. They normally begin around half an hour before dusk, but can start earlier on dull days.

Where to See Murmurations

Murmurations happen wherever starlings roost. They love piers, so the formations are a common sight on seafronts like Blackpool, Aberystwyth and Brighton. Starlings also roost in trees and reeds, so Nature reserves and marshlands can be good places to see the show. This article shares some of the best places to witness murmurations, from Scotland to the South Coast of England. And this handy roost map from Starlings in the UK shows locations where murmurations are known to occur. If there’s one near you, wrap up warm and head out just before dusk to witness the magic.

What is Happening to Starlings in the UK?

Watching these gigantic groups of birds congregate, it’s hard to believe their future is under threat. But when the migrating birds that help form murmurations return to their home shores in spring, they leave behind a dwindling population of UK starlings. Common starlings are fascinating birds, with distinctive black and iridescent plumage and an incredible ability to mimic. Once a common sight in UK gardens, they have dropped in numbers by 54% since 1995 – meaning they are now on the red list for conservation. Scientists are still trying to understand why, but it’s thought to be because of climate change making food scarcer, a lack of safe nesting sites, and the ways farms and grasslands are managed.

How Can We Help Starlings?

If you have a garden, you can help starling populations by providing food and water all year round. Starlings have a reputation for ‘bullying’ smaller birds at feeding stations and clearing out food at lightning speed – meaning some people try to discourage them from their gardens. But these birds need our help, so it’s worth giving ‘starling-proof’ feeders a try. And keeping a lawn means they can forage for their favourite invertebrates. You can also give starlings a hand by installing a bird box (with an entrance hole of 45mm).

This clip from Save Our Wild Isles shows how amazing starlings really are – and might inspire you to help them out.