A flock of up to 25,000 starlings is causing a stir at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s largest site just outside Retford.
Idle Valley Nature Reserve in Retford is one of the region’s most important wildlife areas and particularly valuable for its birds and the starlings.
Numbers over the past week have soared leading to spectacular murmuration displays over the Tiln Pits area of the site, approximately 20 minutes’ walk from the entrance off North Road.
The murmuration, a natural display involving birds flying in harmony before roosting, was first reported on Thursday, January 9 and by Tuesday the number of birds was estimated at 25,000.
Speaking about the spectacle, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s head of communications, Erin McDaid said: “While there is no telling how long the murmurations will continue, to have so many birds gathering at the Idle Valley is really exciting.
"The reserve is a haven for wildlife, especially birds and murmurations of one of the best UK wildlife experiences.
"Last year we had people travelling up to 50 miles to see much smaller displays at our Attenborough Nature Reserve on the edge of Nottingham so we hope plenty of people will come and see them at Idle Valley.”
During the winter months, starlings gather in the UK seeking the (slightly) warmer temperatures.
They start forming in November and can often be seen through to late January and early February.
Flocks arrive from all directions as dusk draws near to form murmurations containing thousands of birds that twist and turn in the sky forming various shapes.
Numbers reach their peak as the evening light fades, then without warning the murmuration disappears into nearby reedbeds until the next day when they will perform their winter wildlife spectacle all over again.
There are many theories behind the reason for starlings forming these vast groups, the main one being is safety in numbers.
The displays usually take place around dusk and the birds at Idle Valley have been displaying at around 4.20pm each evening.
While encouraging people to visit, the Wildlife Trust are asking people to ensure that they stay on public rights of way and to park on the access road off North Road as the reserve car park closes at 5pm.
