Murmuration

Murmuration of starlings over Brighton's Palace Pier

Rubbish photos taken last night - crap camera and it was blowing a gale so I couldn't stay still long enough... but they give just a hint of the weird and wonderful sight that is the murmuration of starlings at sunset on Brighton seafront most nights.

You can see them fly in from all directions and eventually they form this huge amorphous ball of black dots in the sky, and perform a strange dance before settling down to roost.

They usually favour the derelict West Pier (thousands roost there), but last evening they were doing the do over the Palace Pier.

30/03/2006: Thanks for your comment, Céline. Take a look at her video of the murmuration over the West Pier - gorgeous.

See also:
Flickr - SteveMcN: Murmuration Returns
My Brighton and Hove: Watching the Murmuration
My Brighton and Hove: The Starlings

Comments

[Dave]

I used to watch the same phenomenon when I lived in Eastbourne and used to walk along the promenade.

As far as I understand it the young trendy starlings choose Brighton pier, but when they are old and a bit past it they go for Eastbourne pier.

Just what I've heard.

[céline]

I love the colours! And it's funny, but I posted yesterday on my blog a video of the murmuration over our good old West Pier. Coincidences... check it out if you like on http://www.nakedtranslations.com/en/blog.php.

[Kristen (Thoughts from the Bus Stop)]

Hi Céline - great video! People have to see it to understand how amazing it is. Will add a link to it, hope that's OK.