A Co Westmeath photographer captured a starling murmuration in Co Westmeath yesterday evening.
Local photographer John McCauley caught the mesmerising scene at Lough Ennell, close to Mullingar.
Known as a murmuration, the captivating spectacle occurs at dusk, just before the birds settle down to roost.
These huge swarms peak in numbers between December and January when migrant starlings from as far away as Russia, Finland and Estonia join resident birds.
It is believed murmurations of starlings form for several reasons.
Flocking together offers safety in numbers.
Predators such as peregrine falcons find it hard to target one bird in the middle of a hypnotising flock of thousands.
Birds also gather to keep warm at night and to exchange information, such as good feeding areas.
