Aberystwyth pier and Starling murmurations have become synonymous with each other over the years to such an extent that each evening now sees a sizeable group of residents, students and tourists gathered along the seafront. I’m happy to say that over the last decade or so I have been in attendance on a number of occasions, most of them from my favoured vantage point on the wooden jetty along north beach. Not only do you get great views of the setting sun from there but perhaps more importantly it’s also well outside the poo zone!

P1100853 - Starling Murmuration, Aberystwyth

By half four on Saturday afternoon the sun was already well on its way to the horizon when the first couple of Starlings began to appear. Another few minutes passed before a slightly larger flock swooped in across the rooftops, a real relief as for a moment there we’d feared that the display might not happen at all. As always with nature nothing is ever guaranteed and with the Starling population continuing to suffer you do start to wander if this year might be the last. Fortunately I can confirm that in Aber at least such doom-mongering is misplaced as tens of thousands of birds soon joined the melee overhead.

P1100860 - Starling Murmuration, Aberystwyth
P1100866 - Starling Murmuration, Aberystwyth
P1100875 - Starling Murmuration, Aberystwyth

Though sunny days are great for sunsets they’re not so good when it comes to Starling murmurations. We’ve tended to find that the birds stay out later on fine days to maximise their feeding opportunities leaving little time for display once they return to the pier. Instead we get a couple of minutes flying around before the flock heads straight in to roost.

P1100887 - Starling Murmuration, Aberystwyth
P1100889 - Starling Murmuration, Aberystwyth

Events looked to be following a similar pattern this time out so once the last large flock had descended we headed off back to the car. However something, or more likely someone, had clearly disturbed the birds putting the whole lot back up as one. With the last light of day rapidly fading the massed thousands at last started to murmurate fully, a stunning display above Old College and St Michael’s Church and one of the best I’ve ever seen.

P1100894 - Starling Murmuration, Aberystwyth
P1100896 - Starling Murmuration, Aberystwyth

With each change in direction another strange shape would form often resembling something familiar whether that be a bird, Octopus or snake. All coincidence of cause but who doesn’t like to think that there’s some kind of plan being played out amongst the chaos.

It wasn’t just Starlings who were making the most of dusk however with a small flock of Oystercatchers and Turnstones down on the beach. In such nice light it would have been rude of me not to take a couple of photos.

P1100850 - Oystercatchers, Aberystwyth
P1100891 - Oystercatchers, Aberystwyth

What a fantastic way to end our Aberystwyth trip. If you ever get the chance to go and see the murmuration for yourself I highly recommend it. Just look at some of the previous displays we’ve witnessed here, here and here.


5 Comments

Nic · January 30, 2015 at 11:43 am

Fantastic video – I loved the snaking effect towards the end. We saw one of the best displays of knot at Snettisham a couple of years ago but I've never seen starlings. Must try to get to Aber next winter.

    Adam Tilt · January 30, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    Thanks Nic I think that's my favourite part as well. I'm the opposite to you in that despite trying on a couple of occasions I've yet to see the huge flocks of Knot at Snettisham. Maybe this year.

ADRIAN · January 31, 2015 at 8:22 am

This is always a wonderful sight and I enjoyed the video.

Joan · August 30, 2016 at 7:54 pm

Just returned from break at Aberystwyth, enjoying sight of the turnstones and oyster catchers. However, this video may see me returning in January 2017 to watch the starlings. The video is mesmerising and much appreciated.

Joan · December 23, 2016 at 5:54 pm

Saw thousands of starlings flying en masse Dec 2016 and roosting under the pier. Visited Aber 4 times this year
Am in love with the place. Hope to visit again in Feb. Lovely to read your comments

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