Could Brighton's starling spectacular be in decline? (From The Argus)

Could Brighton's starling spectacular be in decline?

9:31am Monday 24th January 2011 in News

Could Brighton's starling spectacular be in decline?

It is one of Brighton’s most iconic images – the sight of thousands of starlings swarming above the West Pier.

Each evening up to 40,000 birds perform an aerial acrobatic show, known as a murmuration, over the skeletal pier where they roost for the winter.

But wildlife experts fear the city spectacle could disappear altogether if the number of starlings continue to decline.

Yesterday members of Brighton and Hove’s RSPB, equipped with telescopes, helped people get a closer look of the twilight show.

Sophie McCallum of the RSPB said: “Starlings join forces for safety in numbers in case of predators and to keep warm at night.

They also exchange information, such as good feeding areas.

They often feed miles away from where they roost and return each evening.

Despite the incredible size of the flocks, these numbers are just a fraction of what they used to be.

“Starling flocks have dropped by 70% in recent years and are now on the UK’s critical list of birdsmost at risk.

The fall is attributed to the use of pesticides, a lack of permanent pasture and a shortage of food and nesting sites.”

The birds, which are on the British red list of endangered birds, have visited Brighton’s shores for decades, and have even been credited with eroding the city’s Regency buildings with their guano.

Last week naturalist and presenter of Spring and Autumn Watch Chris Packham visited English Martyrs Catholic Primary School in Brighton to talk about the preservation of starlings and other birds.

After talking about the importance of conservation work he ran a workshop teaching the students how to make birdfeeders for their gardens.

Mrs Fordham, the outdoor learning coordinator of English Martyrs said: “The children have been really excited about having an expert coming to visit.

We’re always looking for ways to involve and inspire the children in learning about the environment.