Every year between between the end of October and the start of March tens of thousands of starlings can be seen flocking around Brighton Pier. I am lucky in that my office is only a 3 minute walk from the pier, so if the weather is good I will often wander down to the pier 20 minutes before sunset to watch and shoot one of nature’s wonders. That said they flock no matter what the weather and it’s amazing to watch them move in unison even in very strong winds. Below are some video and photos of Brighton’s starlings that I have shot over the years.
Update March 2017: I’ve now made added a section to portfolio of starling murmuration pictures.
Shot in January 2016 on a Samsung NX1.
What makes Brighton Pier such a good spot to watch the starlings is that swoop below you so can look down on the Flock. Once the sun goes down they start moving closer and closer to the pier to the point where you hear the air rushing round their little wings and you can almost reach out and touch them. If you’re near Brighton Nov – March it’s definitely worth making time to see Brighton’s starlings.
Stormy Seas and Starling Murmuration with West Pier in Background. Shot in February 2014 on a Samsung Galaxy NX.
Shot a Lomo LCA and Kodak Ektar in October 2010
Shot in February 2016 on a Samsung NX1
Shot in January 2016 on 5D mark iii.
Shot in February 2015 on a Samsung NX1.
Shot in January 2015 on a Samsung NX1.
Shot in February 2016 on a Samsung NX1.
Shot in February 2015 on a Canon 5D mrk iii with a Petzval lens.
Ohh, these are beautiful, I especially like the first one.