A spectacular display of nature is playing out in the skies over Weymouth.

Over the last few weeks, Weymouth's skies have been full of activity.

Starling murmurations have been spotted over Weymouth town centre, with thousands of birds circling overhead until they land in the trees by St Mary's Church.

The mass aerial stunt features thousands of birds swooping and diving in unison.

The RSPB say that starlings gather like this, as grouping together offers safety in numbers, with predators such as peregrine falcons finding it hard to target one bird in this big group.

Starlings also gather to keep warm at night, and to exchange information, such as good feeding areas.

They then gather over their roosting site, and performing wheeling stunts before they roost for the night, with early evening just before dusk the best time to see them.


Digital Media Assistant at the Dorset Wildlife Trust, Catherine Bolado, who recorded  the large starling flock, said: "The murmuration over Weymouth town centre has been growing over the last few weeks, with birds gathering together for warmth and roosting in the trees close to St Mary's Church.

"A murmuration is a wonderful aerial display of thousands of starlings swooping and circling overhead."

She added: "There are many reasons starlings flock like this, including protection from predation and to exchange information.

"They gather over their roosting sites before dropping down into the roost for the night."

Murmurations will be reaching their peak size now, as more birds flock from Europe and join the current population.

Although the flocks seem big, the starling population has in fact fallen over 80 per cent in recent years, meaning they are now on the critical list of UK birds most at risk, with this decline believed to be due to the loss of permanent pasture, increased use of farm chemicals and a shortage of food and nesting sights.

Miss Bolado added: "Murmations will be reaching their peak size about now and just before dusk is the best time to spot them.

"Sadly, starling populations have declined sharply since the 1970s and they are now a red listed, high conservation concern.

"You can help these gregarious birds during the winter by setting up a bird feeder in your garden."

Tony Whitehead from RSPB South West said: "Murmations happen all over the country, with Studland Bay being feature on BBC Two Winterwatch last year.

"The starlings will be in Weymouth to use the reedbeds at Radipole Lake.
"They aren't a rare sight but certainly spectacular.

"It's possible that they are seeking additional warmth from the town that they wouldn't get from the rural areas."