Starlings form rabbit shapes
Flocks of starlings are renowned for producing one of nature’s most impressive sights as they move in unison with unpredictable speed.
Only when captured on camera can the bizarre shapes the birds form be seen clearly.
These starlings put on their evening display to deter a nearby falcon.
Kevin Hill, 59, a wildlife enthusiast and his wife Carol, 61, spotted the birds on the RSPB reserve at Ham Wall near Glastonbury at 4:30pm on Monday.
Mr Hill, a keen wildlife watcher from Somerset, said: “It was absolutely amazing and when they sweep over the top of your head you can hear their wings beat.
“They make these peculiar shapes if they are worried about being an easy supper for a peregrine falcon. When a peregrine is around the starlings sense that there is danger and wheel and dive as protection against predators.
“No starling wants to be on the outside on their own. Unfortunately, on this occasion it didn’t work and a starling was taken, but that’s nature.”
The starlings, which arrived in late October from Europe, rest overnight at the reserve. At dawn they will go out into the countryside to feed in small flocks before returning an hour before dusk.
The birds will have migrated back to Europe by the middle of March.
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