Starling Murmuration Frequently Asked Questions
In this section we will try to answer some commonly asked questions regarding the Starling Murmurations but if you have a question that is not answered anywhere on this site, then please contacts us and we will do our best to answer it for you.
WHAT IS A STARLING MURMURATION?
'Murmuration' is the name given to the large groups of Starling flocks.
These huge flocks of birds gather together to roost through the winter months.
'Murmuration' is the name given to the large groups of Starling flocks.
These huge flocks of birds gather together to roost through the winter months.
WHY IS IT CALLED A MURMURATION?
There seem to be a couple of reasons to this, but the main one that we have heard is the noise of the starlings wings as they fly overhead sounds like a murmur.
There seem to be a couple of reasons to this, but the main one that we have heard is the noise of the starlings wings as they fly overhead sounds like a murmur.
WHY DO THEY DO THIS?
Again, there are a couple of good reasons that Starlings gather in these large flocks. Huge numbers together mean that it is more difficult for predators to single out one bird as prey. Another very good reason is in the cold of winter, the body heat from thousands of starlings close together will raise the surrounding air by a few degrees. This could be life or death during the bitter cold winter nights.
Again, there are a couple of good reasons that Starlings gather in these large flocks. Huge numbers together mean that it is more difficult for predators to single out one bird as prey. Another very good reason is in the cold of winter, the body heat from thousands of starlings close together will raise the surrounding air by a few degrees. This could be life or death during the bitter cold winter nights.
WHAT TIME OF YEAR DOES THIS HAPPEN?
The Starling murmurations (the displays in the skies) happen during the winter months, roughly from October to March. The peak in numbers is usually December to January when more birds come over from Europe and join our resident birds.
The Starling murmurations (the displays in the skies) happen during the winter months, roughly from October to March. The peak in numbers is usually December to January when more birds come over from Europe and join our resident birds.
WHERE DO THE BIRDS ALL COME FROM?
The Starlings can fly for miles to get to their specific roost site, but while some of the birds are UK residents, the majority though will be migratory birds coming over from Europe. It seems the colder the winter is in Europe, especially if there are good Easterly winds assisting them, then that is when more numbers will appear and gather here.
The Starlings can fly for miles to get to their specific roost site, but while some of the birds are UK residents, the majority though will be migratory birds coming over from Europe. It seems the colder the winter is in Europe, especially if there are good Easterly winds assisting them, then that is when more numbers will appear and gather here.
WHAT TIME OF DAY DOES THIS OCCUR?
Most people associate Starling Murmurations with the evenings. Thousands of birds dancing together in patterns across the skies before dropping down in to their roost sites. These are the videos usually seen on television and YouTube etc. These displays happen around the time of sun set each evening.
If you have seen these evening displays, have you thought about heading back there the following morning before sunrise? if not then why not?
During the evening roost time it is never guaranteed that the flocks of birds will dance or display, or even turn up in huge numbers all together. in fact sometimes they come in low over the ground and go straight to roost.
If you do however go to one of the larger roost sites the following morning you are almost guaranteed a huge explosion or starlings as they take off in either one, two or three huge groups. A definite recommendation if you haven't been to see that yet.
Most people associate Starling Murmurations with the evenings. Thousands of birds dancing together in patterns across the skies before dropping down in to their roost sites. These are the videos usually seen on television and YouTube etc. These displays happen around the time of sun set each evening.
If you have seen these evening displays, have you thought about heading back there the following morning before sunrise? if not then why not?
During the evening roost time it is never guaranteed that the flocks of birds will dance or display, or even turn up in huge numbers all together. in fact sometimes they come in low over the ground and go straight to roost.
If you do however go to one of the larger roost sites the following morning you are almost guaranteed a huge explosion or starlings as they take off in either one, two or three huge groups. A definite recommendation if you haven't been to see that yet.
WHAT TIME DO THEY COME TO ROOST?
A lot of people ask what time the Starlings come in to their roost so they can get to the location in time. The time they come in and settle is around sun set. That time changes throughout the winter so an actual time can not be stated, plus the time can vary due to several factors. Dull and cloudy evenings can make the birds come in a lot earlier where as cloudless bright evenings will sometimes make them later too.
If we were giving anyone advise it would be to get yourself in position at least an hour in advance of the sun set time, sit back and relax and wait.
A lot of people ask what time the Starlings come in to their roost so they can get to the location in time. The time they come in and settle is around sun set. That time changes throughout the winter so an actual time can not be stated, plus the time can vary due to several factors. Dull and cloudy evenings can make the birds come in a lot earlier where as cloudless bright evenings will sometimes make them later too.
If we were giving anyone advise it would be to get yourself in position at least an hour in advance of the sun set time, sit back and relax and wait.
DO THE 'SKY PATTERNS' DEFINITELY HAPPEN EVERY NIGHT?
Roosting happens Yes but dancing murmuration patterns can never be guaranteed!!
Having visited several Starling roost sites we hear questions like 'What time is the display? This is normally from disappointed people who drive for hours to specific areas to see the murmuration and expect HUGE flocks and mass dancing patterns through the skies.
This simply does not happen every evening. Yes they do come to roost every evening, but sometimes they come in a lot of smaller groups and drop into the roost site, and due to them being very low they sometimes can't even be seen.
So please do not be disappointed if you travel to see a huge spectacle in the sky, but nothing happens.
Roosting happens Yes but dancing murmuration patterns can never be guaranteed!!
Having visited several Starling roost sites we hear questions like 'What time is the display? This is normally from disappointed people who drive for hours to specific areas to see the murmuration and expect HUGE flocks and mass dancing patterns through the skies.
This simply does not happen every evening. Yes they do come to roost every evening, but sometimes they come in a lot of smaller groups and drop into the roost site, and due to them being very low they sometimes can't even be seen.
So please do not be disappointed if you travel to see a huge spectacle in the sky, but nothing happens.
WHERE DO THEY ROOST?
Anywhere!! Looking at the information we have been receiving there are definite favorites. These are Reed Beds, Piers and certain conifers. Other than these we know that trees, hedges and some buildings are also used too.
Anywhere!! Looking at the information we have been receiving there are definite favorites. These are Reed Beds, Piers and certain conifers. Other than these we know that trees, hedges and some buildings are also used too.
DOES THE WEATHER AFFECT THE MURMURATION?
Not that we have seen. It is thought that wind affected the change of the dancing patterns across the skies as people had previously only witnessed them hugging the ground as they flew in and dropped in to their roosting site. Recently though, two consecutive evenings produced two totally different display characteristics, even though it was very windy both evenings.
Rain doesn't seem to affect them either, so unfortunately it does seem to be pot luck as to whether you get a good display or not at sunset.
Not that we have seen. It is thought that wind affected the change of the dancing patterns across the skies as people had previously only witnessed them hugging the ground as they flew in and dropped in to their roosting site. Recently though, two consecutive evenings produced two totally different display characteristics, even though it was very windy both evenings.
Rain doesn't seem to affect them either, so unfortunately it does seem to be pot luck as to whether you get a good display or not at sunset.
WHY DO THEY NOT DO THIS IN THE SUMMER?
A few reasons really. The weather is warmer, the birds go back to their breeding grounds with the majority heading back to main land Europe. Once they have their broods and start bringing them up you will start to see the smaller groups gather towards the end of the summer. That is when this wonderful spectacle starts again!!!
A few reasons really. The weather is warmer, the birds go back to their breeding grounds with the majority heading back to main land Europe. Once they have their broods and start bringing them up you will start to see the smaller groups gather towards the end of the summer. That is when this wonderful spectacle starts again!!!
THE MURMURATION MAP LOCATION IS WRONG. WHY?
As with all nature it is unpredictable. The Marker on the Map is there as a rough location. Some of the roost sites are huge areas so we cannot know where they will roost from one night to the next. When roosting in reed beds for example, the Starlings will move on when the reeds become flattened. They can also use different areas of the reeds from year to year. This is why we love information you send in.
As with all nature it is unpredictable. The Marker on the Map is there as a rough location. Some of the roost sites are huge areas so we cannot know where they will roost from one night to the next. When roosting in reed beds for example, the Starlings will move on when the reeds become flattened. They can also use different areas of the reeds from year to year. This is why we love information you send in.