Starlings in Flight over Studland.

Awesome sight over Studland tonight.

Starlings over Studland are, apparently, very unusual. Having heard about their presence, it was an obvious destination for today’s “One Photograph”. It was, indeed, a truly awe-inspiring sight to behold.

We found what we felt was a suitable location on a sand dune, and waited. Shortly after 4pm, a small number of starlings could be seen in flight in the distance. The murmuration had begun!

As time went on, they were joined by another group. And another. And yet more arrived. They swooped around – at times making the sky almost black, at others, almost disappearing from view altogether as they turned.

This aerial acrobatic display is amazing to behold. Even more so as you contemplate the incredible numbers of birds involved. It was a little unfortunate that the light wasn’t great tonight, but the image I’ve chosen captures a taste of show we experienced.

Then, incredibly, as the light faded, the show came to an end. Having built up slowly through a large crescendo, it was almost as though as soon as the last of the starlings arrived – that was it. Show over. Off to roost.

The audience dissipated almost as quickly as the birds. The Sandbanks Ferry is clearly doing very good business as a result of this phenomenon of nature. We certainly aren’t complaining! We will be back again, especially if we get a clear night.

Photograph Details

• Taken: 15 Jan 2017
• Camera: Canon 5D MkIII
• Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm 1:2.8 L IS II USM
• Focal Length 70mm
• F/2.8
• 1/1000 Sec
• ISO 1600