Photo: PA/Owen Humphries
Murmuration of starlings over Gretna, Scotland
Starlings swarm in flash mobs over Scotland every November and February, and they don’t even need social media to remind them it’s time.
According to an article at the BBC, “Tens of thousands of the birds are regularly seen around this time of year near the Dumfries and Galloway town. It is one of the most famous locations for the natural spectacle, the reason for which is not definitively known.
“A survey of the birds across the UK is currently under way with members of the public urged to record sightings. The poll, conducted by the University of Gloucestershire and the Society of Biology, is the first of its kind and has already received more than 600 reports from Cornwall to John O’Groats.
“Dr Anne Goodenough, reader in applied ecology at Gloucestershire University, said: ‘One of the theories behind the murmurations is that it means they are safer from predators such as hawks and falcons.
” ‘Another theory could be they are signalling a large roost and it could be a way of attracting other birds to that area to build up a big flock as it would be warmer. It’s much warmer to roost as a big group rather than a smaller one and the murmurations can be as big as 100,000 birds.’ ”
More here. Don’t miss the other amazing photos at the BBC site.
YouTube video: DylanWinter@virgin.net
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
WOW! That video is just mesmerizing!
I know. I woke up this morning with the music and photography going round and round in my head.