Stunning starling murmuration swoops across Hampstead Norreys skyline

Hundreds of starlings were spotted flying over Hampstead Norreys on Sunday evening.

The mesmerising display of birds was spotted soaring overhead, by Amanda Cook, with flocks coming from all directions, merging and then splitting to form patterns, before funnelling back into the trees.

But why does this natural spectacle occur?

During the winter months, large numbers of starlings visit Britain from the continent in search of our relatively warmer climate, according to The Wildlife Trusts.

Its website reads: “As dusk arrives, the starlings set off for their communal roost in one of the most staggering natural spectacles of all.

“Flocks arrive from all directions, gathering in the skies above their roost sites.”

But as the numbers climb into the thousands, the ‘murmurations’ – the name used for a flying flock of starlings – take on incredible shapes, contracting and expanding and swirling back and forth in complex and beautiful patterns.

Then, as the last of the light fades, the birds settle down to sleep.

Similar formations have previously been spotted in Newbury and Thatcham.

Did you get to see the display? Share your photos with us at newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk