The starling is a familiar garden visitor that has a beautiful purple-and-green sheen to its black feathers. They're smaller than blackbirds and have a distinctive domed head which can help to differentiate them from other birds. In winter, their feathers develop a silver spot, giving them an eye-catching look.

Starlings live in large social groups and can often be seen pulling up worms in parkland or gardens. They're regular visitors at bird feeders too. In the winter, the UK's starling population grows as many birds arrive in the country from colder parts of Europe. This, along with earlier sunsets in the winter, can lead to spectacular murmurations at dusk.

What is a murmuration?

Each evening, large flocks of starlings from miles around will head for their communal roost site. Roosting together is safer than nesting alone, because predators like peregrine falcons and sparrowhawks find it hard to single-in on individual birds in their masses.

Before landing for the night, the number of swooping birds can grow to tens if not hundreds of thousands of starlings. Somehow, the birds know when to turn and in which direction, leading to a swirling, twisting wave of starlings in mid-air.

The display can last from a few minutes to over half an hour before the birds will begin dropping into their roosting site - usually a reed bed or even a manmade structure where the starlings will bed down for the night.

Where and when can I see one?

Murmurations are undoubtedly one of nature's most spectacular sights. We're fortunate enough to have a large flock of starlings (estimated to be up to 50,000 birds) which routinely roosts at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve each winter.

Seeing a murmuration is simple - on a clear winter afternoon, wrap up warm and head down to the Visitor Centre at Brandon Marsh. Our front desk team can tell you where the birds have been roosting and displaying recently, as this can change from day to day and the reserve is very large.

Around 4pm or just before sunset, make your way to observation spot or bird hide which the team recommends, and you may see this incredible sight!

It's important to be respectful of nature when looking for a murmuration.

Once very abundant, the breeding population of starlings in England has declined by almost 90% since the 1960s.

Follow these guidelines at Brandon Marsh:

❌ Do not park on the driveway or block access.

❌ Do not walk into the reedbeds.

✅ Do park for free in our carpark!

✅ Do ask our team for the best viewing spots.

✅ Do arrive before 4pm if you'd like to visit the cafe.

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