Starlings.

[Curvylady]

Where do they go. I am usually driving somewhere late afternoon and I always see flocks of starlings, I know it's called a murmuration, but where are they heading off to?

[boxtops]

Wherever they are roosting - there used to be thousands that roosted on Brighton Pier, to see them swooping and turning was an amazing sight.

[jason.p]

I think they spend the day grazing in fields then fly off en masse to their roosting trees.

[Curvylady]

I know that no one knows where they go exactly, like you both said, to their roosting place, but aren't they clever in flight, how do they know all to turn at once, if you know what I mean.

[ladybirder]

Here you do. Have a look at this. Still come in to Brighton Pier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iESZvwreM_Q

[ladybirder]

Curvylady we do know where they go. In Brighton they shelter under the pier. On the Somerset levels they come down into the reeds or into a clump of favoured trees. The do it for shelter and warmth and for safety in numbers. This clip is better than the Brighton one as there are more of them for a start. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH-groCeKbE&feature=related

[Leapers]

Piers must be a favourite place for them then as where i live on the west coast of wales they all come in off the farm land where they spend their days in the cowsheds and then you see huge swarms of them going under the pier in the evening! Amazing sight i love to see! Only worried about getting pooped on if i leave the house!

[Curvylady]

Wow ladybirder, it's amazing how they don't bump into one another.

[paddywak]

Wonderful ladybirder, if I was living near there I'd be timing Max's evening walk to watch that.

[Curvylady]

Amazing ladybirder, my view of the starlings has gone up one, clever little blighters.

[sidkid]

I was in Lowestoft last week - quite a spectacular display. There was a bird of prey up there with them and the starlings were parting as it passed through. It was like watching a shark swimming through a huge shoal of fish.