Starling Murmurations

During the winter months starlings gather in the UK from the continent seeking the (slightly) warmer temperatures. They start forming in November and can often be seen through to late January/early February.  Flocks arrive from all directions as dusk draws near to form murmurations containing thousands of birds. The flock twists and turns in the sky to form incredible shapes. Numbers reach their peak as the evening light fades, then without warning the murmuration cascades into a nearby reedbeds and silence falls. Thousands of birds disappear from sight until the next day when they will perform their winter wildlife spectacle all over again. 

There are many theories behind the reason for starlings forming these vast groups, the main one being is safety in numbers. If you are lucky enough to see a murmuration you may also notice another type of bird in the sky - Sparrowhawks. The predators try their luck at catching a starling which causes the murmuration to condense and change shape in the blink of an eye. Sparrowhawks rarely catch starlings when they are in such large number as it is so difficult to choose one bird to target in the middle of a hypnotising flock.

For the best chance to see the starling murmurations, wrap up warm and head to the site around an hour before sunset. If you are viewing the murmurations at Attenborough or Idle Valley enjoy the warmth of the cafe and grab a hot drink and a sweet treat before you head outside in the cold. It can get chilly standing around waiting for the birds to appear but it'll be worth the wait!

Keep an eye on our social media accounts for up to date information on the best places to see them.

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