Murmurations Of The Heart

Murmuration in Nobber, Co Meath 2019. Photo by Peter Wilson

I sensed something was different the minute I arrived. The turnout for this event was bigger than I had anticipated. Cars were prowling around the area looking for parking space. Every possible spot to park, already taken. Maybe there was a Gaelic football match on, I thought. The local GAA pitch was close to where we would be birdwatching. This was however a unique occasion and in retrospect, no football match could ever compete with it. As I got out of my car, I saw people walk in the direction of what, I assumed, would be the viewing point for this exiting spectacle and followed their lead.

Whoever had organised this event had not considered such things. But there was no one to point the finger of blame on this occasion. No organiser to speak to and request that they at least consider such basics when planning future events.

A side lane along a large field, with some mature conifer trees, would be the location for a crowd of onlookers, birdwatchers and photographers that had come from all over the county to witness this natural phenomenon.

I had arrived in good time too. There was up to 50 – 60 people already placed along this narrow boreen, and I had just enough time to find a high point to view the performance.

At around 4.20pm, it began. A group of starlings flew in tight formation towards the edge of the field. A few hundred to begin with, soon blossoming into thousands as other starlings arrived.

As one formation would begin, another would start elsewhere in the field. My senses soon were overcome as I tried to focus on one group at a time. But it was difficult. My sight began to see patterns as the numbers grew. One photographer cursed as he missed a perfect shot of starlings briefly form into the shape of a heart.

My hearing began to deceive me too as I could not match the visuals I was receiving with a sound akin to that of a sea. The sea was very real, only it was not made of water but waves of hundreds of thousands of starlings. Flying in amazing formations, expanding and contracting like lungs, dancing in a performance that appeared to have been rehearsed many times.

As best I can, I tried to film some of this. But there was too much going on. The camera could not capture it. So I stood there and just accepted that somethings cannot be recorded, some experiences cannot be replicated. You are either there or you are not.

The display lasted for around half an hour and ended once the birds landed on their roosting spot in the conifer trees, just as daylight faded.

There are many theories as to why starlings perform this murmuration every year. Some say to protect against predation, others to distribute information on the best feeding grounds or that such numbers ensure they stay warm during cold spells. But maybe nature is just reminding us of how beautiful it is, how inspiring it is and how fragile it is becoming, that such a dance is becoming harder every year.


- Paul Gallagher -


Murmuration in Nobber, Co Meath, starts around 4.20pm.


*Please note: The landowners in this area have been very accommodating for the unusually high number of visitors to this field and others in the surrounding area. Please ensure this goodwill remains, as this event could last a number of weeks.


Birdwatch Ireland Meaths next event takes place on the 22nd of January, 8pm - '25 Years Of The Irish Wetland Bird Survey - Talk by Niamh Fitzgerald - NEC, Athlumney Road, Navan, Co. Meath - SEE LINK  for further details