Feb 2014
Just as the horizon was at it's brightest yellow
Before the light began to really fade
I stood and watched the daily starling show
Staged it seemed just for me
How privileged I felt to see
Our very own murmuration
Circle, tightly in a group
Morph into a jet fighter
Then a fragile bi-plane
Direction changing overhead
I heard their wings a lovely sound
As they circled round
What perfect choreography
To soar and dive, flip and twist
And as they passed a clump of firs
Some filtered down
Dropping as if poured
Each new pass some more
The last few, five or six
Carried on just as fast
Until they too went down
The show was over for another day
Before the light began to really fade
I stood and watched the daily starling show
Staged it seemed just for me
How privileged I felt to see
Our very own murmuration
Circle, tightly in a group
Morph into a jet fighter
Then a fragile bi-plane
Direction changing overhead
I heard their wings a lovely sound
As they circled round
What perfect choreography
To soar and dive, flip and twist
And as they passed a clump of firs
Some filtered down
Dropping as if poured
Each new pass some more
The last few, five or six
Carried on just as fast
Until they too went down
The show was over for another day
So nice that this happens on our own land. Not a huge one, as can be seen in some places , numbering about 50 birds, but still a thrill to see.
I believe this behaviour has evolved to make it harder for predators such as sparrowhawks to target the birds.
Some spectacular shots can be seen on youtube, type in 'starling murmuration'.
I believe this behaviour has evolved to make it harder for predators such as sparrowhawks to target the birds.
Some spectacular shots can be seen on youtube, type in 'starling murmuration'.
