Spectacular murmurations of starlings are once again thrilling nature lovers in Co Meath.
Tens of thousands of birds have been swooping and diving in unison over fields in Nobber in recent weeks.
Their wheeling aerial displays have been taking place at dusk before they roost for the night.
Spectacular murmurations of starlings are once again thrilling nature lovers in Co Meath. Tens of thousands of birds have been swooping and diving in unison above fields in the village of Nobber. Take a moment to watch this footage of last night's mesmerising #murmuration pic.twitter.com/GKei24lGX4
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 5, 2020
Last night's spectacle was witnessed by a group of around 25 people who had gathered at the roadside.
It is believed murmurations of starlings form for several reasons.
Grouping together offers safety in numbers as predators, such as peregrine falcons, find it hard to target one bird in the middle of a hypnotising flock of thousands.
They also gather to keep warm at night and to exchange information, such as good feeding areas.
The number of starlings in a roost can swell to around 100,000 in some places.
