Starlings form a dolphin in the skies | Mail Online
Home U.K. Home News Sport U.S. Showbiz Femail Health Science Money RightMinds Travel Columnists News Home Arts Headlines Pictures Most read News Board My Profile Logout Login Find a Job M&S Wine Our Papers Feedback My Stories Sunday, Nov 20 2011 12AM 68°F 3AM 66°F 5-Day Forecast He's behind you! Starlings form a flipping amazing dolphin in the dusky sky... being chased by an open-mouthed killer whaleBy Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:07 AM on 19th November 2011
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When it comes to impressions, these starlings do a sterling job.
The birds’ formation resembles a dolphin being chased by a killer whale with its mouth agape. Amateur photographer Paul McGreevy caught the mesmerising scene at sunset in Gretna Green, Scotland, this week.
The 55-year-old self-employed gardener from Carlisle said the birds went on to form the shape of a squid, then an octopus, then another whale. The father of three added: ‘It wasn’t until I got my camera home and started putting the images on my computer that I saw all these shapes.
Stunning: A flock of starlings in the shape of a dolphin being chased by a whale make their way acoss the dusk skies above Gretna Green, Scotland
Gretna Green is famous for these ‘murmurations’, when starlings fly back en masse to their winter roost in the Scottish village after a day’s feeding.
By the looks of things, they must be partial to seafood.
Next Mr McGreevy captured the birds morphing into an octopus as they soared above the skies.
The self-employed gardener and keen amateur photographer made the half hour trip to Gretna Green, Scotland, to capture the starlings aerial acrobatics on Wednesday afternoon at sunset.
The father-of-three said: 'It wasn’t until I got my camera home and started putting the images on my computer that I saw all these shapes.
'I was really surprised to see the dolphin, then what looked like a killer whale chasing it.
'There’s an octopus too - but people can see lots of different things in the pictures. I suppose a psychiatrist could tell you a lot from what people see in the pictures.'
Seas of the sky: The starlings form the shape of an octopus. The birds come together every autumn to form one of nature's most impressive spectacles
The birds come together every autumn to form one of nature’s most impressive spectacles as they flock together above the Scottish village.
Mr McGreevy added: 'The starlings come to Gretna in late October and they stay until February.
'People come from all over to see them - one time I met a couple who had driven up from Stoke to see the starlings.'
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Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all A lot of birds , great out in the wilds. But one winter I visited Glasgow when the starlings had decided to nest or just rest down town . Every window ledge and every cornice was full. no standing room left. At street level one could not hear a human talk nor even a car move on the street. Coming up the English channel one night we met a migrating flock; attracted to our navigation lights.Flying into the wires. masts and funnel; looking for a place to rest. There were a few dead and injured on deck.and others just bushed..;. We picked up twelve and put them in a beer box. Now we had two of Edinburgh's retired finest on board sharing a passenger state room. They were security agents for the gargo but they were not the most loved shipmates. So we opened their door and put the box on deck between their bunks , closed the door and pulled a string to flip the box. Then we listened to the commotion as the birds flew around pecking at everthing , them included.
- EckM, Ottawa Canada, 20/11/2011 13:15
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Just as a school of herring will dart about, changing direction as one and confusing larger fish trying to feed on them, it might be the same with starlings trying to confuse hawks and kestrils. I too have photographed similar flocks of starlings, but never have I captured a flock of what is considered to be one of nature's more intelligent birds, taking on the shapes of three of the most intelligent creatures in the oceans. Beautiful!
- Bkrmn, Northern Ontario, Canada., 20/11/2011 10:31
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I would like to go stand by and watch them flock. Bring a hat.
- Meatwad, San Diego California, 20/11/2011 00:19
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They are trying not to bump into each other as they follow those around them, try looking at crowds from above as the move out of an event centre. You are putting more importance on this behaviour than it warrents. It is not done for you to marvel at or assume some collective intelegance it is them moving about back to a roost in a some what confused manner. On a serious notes flocks have starlings have brought down aircraft.
- Jim, Garstang, 19/11/2011 19:13
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This is a regular sight in the area top of england edge of scotland. Same thing every year.
- Jay, Cumbria uk, 19/11/2011 19:07
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We have seen this stunning flying many times on our way driving across the Scottish/English border, it is absolutely incredible to watch the unbelievable synchronisation of countless thousands of birds. ....Truly one of natures wonders!!
- RTL, Edinburgh, 19/11/2011 13:00
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