Starling murmurations have been captivating onlookers in Anglesey, with a series of displays so extraordinary that they've attracted spectators from all over Wales and even from across the English border. These hypnotic aerial performances involve thousands of starlings moving in unison to create ever-changing patterns against the twilight sky.
This year, for several weeks, Llangefni has emerged as one of the prime spots in Britain to witness these avian ballets at sunset. Even those typically indifferent to birdwatching have been drawn to the phenomenon.
While the local residents appreciate the beauty of these gatherings, they also face the less pleasant consequences. As one resident noted on the Starlings In The UK website, "Neighbours beginning to complain about the excrement and noise,".
Another local expressed both awe and inconvenience: "Literally thousands and thousands of starlings roosting 50 yards from my front door. Truly amazing to watch and it's on our doorstep every evening.
"Constant noise throughout the night, murmurations every evening and the numbers of starlings seems to be increasing every day.", reports North Wales Live. A visitor from the Wirral who travelled to Llangefni for the spectacle empathised with the locals, recounting his experience of driving through "millions of starlings" as they flew low overhead. "You could hear the shower of poo hitting the road as they flew a few feet above me," he remarked.
Murmurations have been captivating onlookers with their breathtaking displays at sunset, and sometimes at dawn, as they gather to roost. The behaviour is believed to be a strategy to confuse predators, which was evident in Llangefni when a murmuration dynamically changed shape to evade a Peregrine falcon.
Anne Evans from Chester was among those who witnessed the spectacle after travelling to her caravan in Anglesey upon hearing about the phenomenon. She managed to film the event, attracting thousands of views.
"It was really amazing and I've never seen anything like it before," she remarked. "The noise was incredible as well. Reddest sun I'd ever seen too. Wow, wow, wow! Wonderful Anglesey just keeps on giving."
Initially arriving in January near Bryn Cefni Business Park, the starlings settled in woodland adjacent to Aran Vet Clinic. At the height of their presence, it's estimated that around 50,000 birds were in the area, darkening the sky above.
The RSPB reserve at Conwy estuary also welcomed the return of the starlings this year. In past seasons, the site has seen up to 35,000 birds, creating similarly stunning scenes. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here.
However, the numbers at Llangefni began to decrease over a week ago, and by March 13, the flock had departed towards the RSPB Cors Ddyga reserve near Pentre Berw. Due to the marshy nature of the site, the roosting spots are more transient, as the large congregations can often damage the reed beds they settle in.
Murmurations of starlings across the UK are often seen as an indicator of a harsh winter in Russia and Europe, with migratory birds bolstered by easterly winds joining their British peers for several weeks or months before heading back. "Few bird spectacles make non-birdwatchers stop the car and take out their smartphone, but many people working or shopping around Llangefni Industrial Estate were in awe of the huge murmurations of starlings," noted Julian Hughes of RSPB Cymru in his Bird Notes column for the Daily Post. "The starlings will shortly head to Russia and the Baltic States, where their arrival will be heralded as a harbinger of spring."
