Murmurations are most commonly seen in the early evening, just before the birds roost for the night. The patterns created by the birds are ever-changing and can include undulating waves and twisting helixes. They are becoming more common locally but many people head to Brighton to watch in admiration at the show they put on free each evening. Just before dusk, small groups of starlings from the same area come together above a communal roosting site. The group grows ever larger, moving in unison in an aerial dance that casts gorgeous shapes against the waning daylight.
Many people are able to observe them in their gardens and at Rye Harbour in small groups. Their plumage looks black from a distance, but if you look closely you’ll see that starlings are very glossy birds, with a sheen of purple and green feathers.
Some key information about murmurations:
• The peak time is usually between December and January.
• Weather conditions can affect when the birds come in, with dull and cloudy evenings causing them to arrive earlier.
• Wind can also affect the dancing patterns.
• The birds follow three basic rules: move in the same direction as their neighbour, stay close to them, and avoid collisions.
• The birds use their sensory systems to accurately detect position and movement, and respond quickly to coordinate directional changes
Image Credits: Kt bruce .