Birdwatch Ireland has caught an amazing spectacle of a murmuration, or gathering of a large group of starlings, at their roost site in County Wexford.
 
The short clip, filmed by Edward Delaney, is described on their YouTube channel as “Starlings gathering together at a roost site in one of nature's most amazing spectacles, a murmuration. And what makes it even more amazing is that no-one really understands why they perform these amazing aerobatics.”
 
This is the third video of murmurations in Ireland that has been brought to IrishCentral’s attention. The spectacular display usually takes place at the beginning of winter, just before dark, when the birds are looking for a place to rest.
 
Read more: Starlings take flight over River Shannon in Ireland – VIDEO
 
In 2009 Daniel Butler wrote in the Telegraph that murmurations take place when, “Each bird strives to fly as close to its neighbors as possible, instantly copying any changes in speed or direction. As a result, tiny deviations by one bird are magnified and distorted by those surrounding it, creating rippling, swirling patterns.”
 
He wrote that these amazing movements were a fight for survival.
 
“Starlings are tasty morsels for peregrines, merlins and sparrowhawks. The answer is to seek safety in numbers, gathering in flocks and with every bird trying to avoid the edge where adept predators can sometimes snatch a victim.”
 
Whatever these bird are up to it really is an unearthly sight.
 
Read more: Another miracle of birds in flight above Ireland – VIDEO
 
Here’s the video:
 


 
Source: TheJournal.ie