Forecast: Cloudy with a chance of starlings

With much of the UK enjoying a little snow this week, here in Aberystwyth there was, as usual not a flake to be seen! Whilst there was no flurry of snowflakes to enjoy, yesterday evening we were treated instead to a blizzard of birds, as the local starlings made their nightly commute to the pier in a thrilling display over the seafront.

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After a few rather lackluster performances over my last few visits, tonight the starlings turned out en masse and it was certainly the biggest turnout I have seen so far this winter.

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A golden sunset and clear skies would have made the view even more spectacular but a few breaks in the cloud did produce some quite pleasant pastel colours in the sky.

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In one particular moment a small breakaway flock of starlings flew right among the last rays of the setting sun, and their flapping wings were briefly illuminated from behind, appearing to shimmer against the purple sky.

Whilst there was no rhythmic dances across the skies tonight the flocks did hang around in the sky a while before descending into their roost, forming a dense swirling cloud above.

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I will never tire of watching these birds and I feel very privileged to be able to witness one of nature’s spectacles on my very own doorstep. This won’t be my last visit to the starlings, although that’s it for 2020. I will continue to document them into the new year in pursuit of that perfect shot!

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Photographs copyright of Claire Stott/Grey Feather Photography ©
greyfeatherphotography.com

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