Wildlife enthusiasts are being urged to visit an RSPB nature reserve after more than 10,000 starlings were spotted performing spectacular murmurations over the site.
RSPB Leighton Moss has revealed that the birds have once again begun gathering in huge numbers, creating the mesmerising aerial displays which see thousands of starlings swoop, twist and turn in near-perfect unison.
The reserve shared footage, captured by Jarrod Sneyd, showing the flock leaving its overnight roost in the morning, with staff estimating more than 10,000 birds were involved.
A spokesperson for RSPB Leighton Moss, in Silverdale, near Carnforth, said: "It's happening again!
"Starlings have been performing spectacular murmurations again on site.
"This video was taken in the morning as the flock of 10,000-plus woke up to leave the roost."
Staff said the birds were filmed near Grisedale Hide, although the flock's location can change regularly.
The spokesperson added: "In this video, the starlings are near Grisedale Hide, but they tend to move every few days so it's worth checking with the team when you arrive and if in doubt the best place to go is Sky Tower as you get a view over the whole reserve."
Starling murmurations are considered one of Britain's most spectacular natural phenomena, with thousands of birds gathering before roosting to create dramatic shapes and patterns in the sky.
Scientists believe the behaviour helps protect birds from predators, with safety in numbers making it harder for individual starlings to be targeted. Research has also suggested that each bird reacts to the movements of a small number of neighbours, allowing the flock to move almost as a single organism.
The displays are typically at their largest during autumn and winter, when British starlings are joined by migrant birds arriving from colder parts of northern Europe.
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The return of the spectacle at Leighton Moss comes as nature reserves across the North West report increasing interest in murmurations, which can attract thousands of visitors hoping to witness the phenomenon.
However, conservationists warn that starling populations have declined significantly over recent decades, with changes in farming practices and reduced insect populations believed to be contributing factors.
Visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the murmuration are advised to check with reserve staff on arrival for the latest information on where the birds are gathering.
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