Starling Extravaganza

Belfast City Council organised a ‘Starling Watching’ event in late November and Paul Beattie went along and took these great photographs.

It’s hard to believe a display of aerial acrobatics takes places every evening right in the heart of Belfast. Up to 30,000 participants fly wingtip to wingtip with incredible precision.

Here is what Paul made of the experience:

"I don't "do" wildlife photography. It's a very different skill to my own, which are more aimed at people and places. Every year for the past three, I've been meaning to catch this particular sight, and seeing the Council's tour advertised, I decided it was time to get it done!

I was amazed - even though the numbers of starlings are much diminished from what they used to be. Perhaps they are too high up to hear, but they seem to wheel and whirl without noise, until they plunge in small groups to their resting place beneath the Albert Bridge. Then the noise is deafening, even from a distance.

For all the tours and activities that Belfast has to offer, this natural "freebie" is one of the most spectacular."

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