[Perry Grin]

Hi All,

My 6 year old has been enthralled by the recent news reports of starling roosts and now wants to see one for himself. The closest decent one that I know of is the one on Brighton pier.

I would appreciate any news on the roost - size, best time to visit, how long it is usually around for etc.. before I go as it is about an hour and a half drive for me.

Thanks in advance

Perry

[hollis_f]

Only been there once, last year. A couple of planned trips this winter have been knocked on the head due to foul weather.

The best view we got was between the two piers. The flock was swirling over the burned-out West Pier and that vantage point meant that the sunset sky was behind them, making for a much better spectacle.

[Perry Grin]

Originally Posted by hollis_f

Only been there once, last year. A couple of planned trips this winter have been knocked on the head due to foul weather.

The best view we got was between the two piers. The flock was swirling over the burned-out West Pier and that vantage point meant that the sunset sky was behind them, making for a much better spectacle.

Thanks Frank.

Does anyone know how many are around at the moment and how long they are likely to hang around for?

Perry

[deborah4]

Originally Posted by Perry Grin

Thanks Frank.

Does anyone know how many are around at the moment and how long they are likely to hang around for?

Perry

last time I checked a few weeks back, numbers were around 19,500 - should be at least 35-40,000 by now but haven't checked past few weeks. Not sure how long they'll stay for this year it will depend on weather to certain extent and where they come from, but they generally start to leave early Spring as weather changes (eg. some are probably Scandi migrants, some local, some European breeders etc) .... numbers have declined noticeably over the past 20 years since I've been watching them (I remember roosts here of over 200,000)and I'm inclined to think this may well have been comprised of the bulk of our UK birds. The Brighton roost have had to cope with several moves and disasters as well as the environmental pressures burdened upon the species as a whole in UK.

Best time to see them is to get there an hour before sundown when they start to join flocks as they come into one or two large roost flocks - and start the murmuration show! The best views are actually had on the Palace Pier - if you look West from there you will also be able to watch both roosts (ie. Palace Pier and West Pier.) as well as looking back towards the City and see them coming together over the tower blocks etc. The RSPB will be around on the Palace Pier at weekends with scopes/binos doing the ABB.

[Perry Grin]

Thanks Deborah,

Looks like I might take the boys down there over Christmas.

Perry

[Steve]

Brighton Marina is the place, thousands and thousands of them roost under the Boardwalk by the floating chinese restaurant. Get there a few hours before sundown and they arrive and perch on the masts of yachts before flying under the buildings. Nice restaurants for a meal if you want to make an afternoon of it, Frankies and bennies etc

[Perry Grin]

Hi all,

Spent the afternoon/evening on the seafront at Brighton today with the wife and kids. After getting rid of their pocket money on the slots we made our way out to watch the starlings arrive and they put on a good show for us, even the wife was taken back with it all!

The first groups gathered on the East Pier in large numbers - certainly tens of thousands. After about 20 mins they started to roost but many moved to the West Pier where another large group had gathered. When we left about 4:15 all the birds on the East Pier had roosted but there was still a very large group over the West Pier.

A lovely afternoon - lots of starlings and an amazing sunset thrown in for free - I've attached a couple of piccies taken with my point and shoot.

Thanks to all for your help and advice.

[hollis_f]

Finally, I was near Brighton with some spare time and some decent weather. We didn't arrive in time to get onto the East Pier, but still got some pretty good shots.

It was very interesting how the Starlings on the East Pier settled down to roost very quickly, with hardly any of the swirling displays. Luckily the ones near the West pier were in much more of a party mood. And the sunset colours made a spectacular backdrop -

If you're down that way for the next few days (while the forecast is pretty good) I can really recommend a visit.