BirdWatch Ireland is calling on people across Ireland to keep an eye on the sky this winter and to report their sightings of one of nature’s most mesmerising performances – the Starling murmuration.
Across the country over the upcoming winter evenings, thousands of Starlings will be seen swirling through the sky in unison. Known as a murmuration, this captivating spectacle occurs at dusk, just before the birds settle down to roost. These huge swarms will peak in numbers between December and January when migrant Starlings from as far away as Russia, Finland and Estonia will join our resident birds.
While there are many well-known Starling roost locations where murmurations can be spotted such as Lough Ennell in Westmeath, Borrisokane in Tipperary, near Nobber in Meath, Timoleague in Cork, Lackagh in Galway and Lough Ree in Roscommon and Westmeath, you can help us to find more. In an effort to better understand where Starlings are roosting, BirdWatch Ireland is asking members of the public to serve as our eyes on the ground by contributing to the Irish Starling Murmuration Survey. We are asking those who witness murmurations this winter to send us information about the precise location of the flock and a rough estimate of the number of birds within it. All of this information is fed into an online map of Starling murmurations in Ireland, which allows members of the public to find out where their nearest murmuration is.
Starling murmuration over a wooded area. Photo: Edward Delaney.
“Witnessing a Starling murmuration on a calm clear winter evening is something that will stay with you for the rest of your life, and we’re quite lucky that so many of these mesmerising displays happen all over Ireland every winter. I’d really recommend people to keep an eye on the sky, see where your Starlings are heading as sunset approaches, and try and figure out where their roost is. And of course, let us know what you find!” said Brian Burke, Coordinator of BirdWatch Ireland’s Irish Starling Murmuration Survey.
Since the Irish Starling Murmuration Survey was first launched in winter 2020/ 21, we have received a huge number of contributions from all around the country. The largest murmuration recorded in Ireland to date was seen in Galway and comprised over 100,000 individual Starlings.
There are several theories behind the purpose of Starling murmurations. As Starlings are vulnerable to attack from birds such as Peregrine Falcons and Sparrowhawks, coming together in a swirling flock helps to confuse such predators and reduce the chance of an individual Starling being caught. It is also thought that gathering together could help the birds to remain warm during the cold winter months, and provide a chance to communicate about good feeding opportunities.
The success of the Irish Starling Murmuration survey is, in large part, due to the power of community. Not only is it a citizen science survey that relies on contributions from members of the public, it is also an initiative that is funded by Regeneron. BirdWatch Ireland is extremely grateful that the Regeneron team has decided to sponsor this important initiative and through doing so, is helping to increase our knowledge of this Amber-listed bird.
“Regeneron is delighted to be sponsoring the Irish Starling Murmuration Survey for 2023/2024. In Regeneron, teamwork is part of our everyday philosophy, and we admire how Starlings come together and work as a team to protect each other and create the mesmerising murmuration displays in our skies. Regeneron’s BeaCon (Biodiversity & Conservation) Programme aims to preserve and enhance native species and ecosystems on its sites and local communities. We hope by sponsoring this survey, we help to protect this Amber-listed species and ensure that murmuration displays continue for future generations to enjoy,” said Eoin Brennan, EHS & S Director at Regeneron.
For more information on the Irish Starling Murmuration Survey and to view the murmuration map, see the Irish Starling Murmuration Survey page.
