Written by Brian Robert Marshall



This event takes place every year at this time when thousands of starlings gather at about sunset and swoop around for about twenty minutes before settling for the night in a row of conifers screening the nearby sewage treatment works. They create ever changing patterns and shapes in the sky and the flock increases in size as smaller flocks of birds join the main group. The reasons for the flocking behaviour are said to include protection against predatory birds such as peregrine falcons, one of which was seen on this night. At the end of the display the flock dives into the trees to roost. The birds will emerge at dawn the next day. The best free show in town.