Starlings (Part 2)
A Most Magnificent Murmuration
Welcome back!
Before we begin, if you haven’t read Part One of this article yet, you can do so here.
“Starlings it is then!”
‘I’m happy with that,’ I thought, as my dogs and I trooped into the house, all of us excited for our dinner. I had my inspiration. Already composing my next article in my head, I went about the usual palaver of removing all my layers. Coat, hat, scarf, boots. Then returned to the kitchen. I caught a glimpse of movement outside my window and stopped to take a closer look. The starlings were back, and it looked as though they’d brought some friends.
Hundreds of birds were filling the sky above my greenhouse, swooping and swirling. Glorious. I couldn’t believe they’d chosen to do this right above my house! I watched them for a few moments, as they transported me to a place where time stood still. Then I realised they weren’t going anywhere and more seemed to be joining them. My skin tingled. Should I continue to stand there and appreciate them? Or should I risk running to grab my iPhone to try and share it with others. If you’re here, you will probably know the answer to that already…
I ran and grabbed my phone, taking care not to trip over my dogs, who were giving me confused looks, and headed to the back door. Surely, they’d be gone by now. Surely, I wouldn’t be that lucky?
My dogs ran after me, paws skittering on the wooden floor. What was so exciting? Were we going on another walk? What was the hurry? It must be something good!
I threw open the door, and my heart leapt. The sky was full of starlings, they twisted and twirled, moving gracefully back and forth across my field, over the trees out of sight, then returning for an encore.
I snapped away on my phone, desperate to capture at least a tiny bit of this awe- inspiring experience. It wouldn’t be possible to convey how I felt witnessing this spectacle of course. As though the world had expanded, and my soul was connecting with something beyond my understanding.
The sound as they grew closer was like the gentle rush of the sea across sand. It gave me goosebumps. Surely, they were going to fly away now? They’d already given me more than I could possibly have asked for. Such a gift.
But they weren’t done yet. I held my breath as the gathering of birds flew right towards me, over my head and above my house. My dogs and I stood motionless, watching them, like audience members at a sky ballet. The sound increased. I could feel the rush of air as they swooped and swirled. Now I could see the individual birds, their little bodies silhouetted black against the dusky blue sky. Their wings fluttering fast.
How did they fly so close without crashing into one another? How did they know what to do?
The birds’ ability to move in sync is something that is still being studied. According to Birdfact.com it may just be as simple as the fact that each bird moves to maintain a safe distance from its nearest neighbours. So, if one bird moves, the shift pushes or pulls the other birds in sequence.
A fascinating article by Sam Chaltain discusses a theory called ‘morphic resonance’:-
Watch your seven nearest neighbours.
Fly toward each other, but don’t crowd.
And if any of your neighbours turn, turn with them.
By following this rule of seven, the birds become part of a dynamic system in which each individual part combines to make a whole. This collective behavior allows the birds to gather information on their surroundings and self-organize toward an ideal density, one in which optimal patterns of light and dark are produced that can deliver information to the entire flock (and protect them from predators). The closer each bird pays attention, the safer — and more cohesive — the entire flock becomes.
Wow!
This is nature’s reminder that if we can work together in harmony, and pay attention to each other, we can create amazing things.
The starlings continued their sky dance. Although I stood at a safe distance, just inside my doorway, my dogs at my heels, I still felt as though I was surrounded by these magnificent birds. Almost as though they could lift me into the sky with their energy, enabling me to fly alongside them, joining their dance.
My dog gave a soft woof. “Where’s my dinner?” he was asking. “Have you forgotten?” I shushed him gently, with a wave of my hand (like that ever works) and continued to keep recording.
My arm was getting tired from holding up my phone. The starlings were about to leave, I could see they were moving gradually in the direction of the nearby wetlands. Then, just as they gathered for a final hurrah, nature pulled back the curtain on this dramatic display and allowed the light of the sunset to flow onto the stage. The garden was suddenly filled with a warm orange light, and the starlings began their grand finale.
With a soul stirring whoosh, the birds shape shifted, condensed and expanded, deepening into a denser and denser cloud. Whirling, swooping, twisting and turning, in complete synchronicity. Until they became one entity, writhing and pulsating in the sky. No longer looking like birds, but like something you might create with computer graphics. If I hadn’t known they were birds, I might have thought it was a digital illusion. As the light of the sun fell on them, their beauty was magnified. A coppery sheen rippled through them as they moved. I think I might have stopped breathing for a minute.
I couldn’t speak. I could not believe this just happened, right above my house! If I ever had any doubts about our move to a house in the countryside, with a LOT of renovation work to do (which believe me I have) this moment assured me that we’d made the right decision. This is a home I never want to leave.
Then my dog barked, bringing me back into reality, as dogs tend to do. It was time for his dinner. Never mind the birds!
I felt I’d been given the greatest gift from nature, and a reminder that if you just wait for inspiration, nature always provides, sometimes in spades (or starlings).
The otherworldly sense this experience evoked stayed with me, as I sat down at my desk. The first thing I did was to look up how I could combine two videos together on my iPhone. The first website that came up on my internet search was called MacPaw. My eyes filled with happy tears. Mac was my black Labrador, our first dog. A wonderful companion of 14 years, who we said goodbye to in 2022. Ever since that day, when something good happens to us, my husband will say, ‘I think Mac had a paw in this.’ And I will smile, imagining my beautiful shiny black dog as a guardian angel.
Well, Mac certainly outdid himself this time 💚
In various cultures the starling represents harmony and being in tune with one’s surroundings. I couldn’t agree more.
The spirit of the starling also reminds us to communicate effectively and stay connected with our community. Perhaps it’s not surprising then, that when I decided to share my video with the Substack community via notes, the reaction was unbelievable. This image seemed to touch so many people, in so many ways.
If you would like to see the video of this magical moment, you can do so here
One member saw the face of Nefertiti. Another felt that it was the old gods announcing themselves. Another saw the face of an African queen in honour of Black History month. Yet another saw love hearts.
The ancient Romans believed that the shifting patterns of starlings indicated the changing moods of the gods. The Celts associated starlings with the goddess Brigid, whose sacred day of Imbolc occurred on the 1st February (perhaps this wasn’t a coincidence?)
A few people were moved to tears and some said it was the most beautiful thing they had ever seen. Then there were countless people who simply said:-
‘I needed this’
It may sound dramatic, but this is what nature is capable of. This is why I love the natural world so much. It’s always there to remind us of the magic in the world, just when we most need it. We can interpret it in so many ways, which often brings us exactly what is required in that moment.
One of the most popular theories is that starlings represent hope and new beginnings because they are one of the first birds to return in the spring after winter has ended. This theory is supported by the fact that starlings often build their nests near doorways or windows, which represents the doorway to a new beginning.
Whatever you see when you watch this spectacular phenomena, however you choose to interpret it, it’s clear that nature is capable of providing more exquisite experiences than you can ever imagine, just when you least expect it.
Nature’s magic surrounds us every day. We just need to stop and pay attention.
How has nature reminded you of the magic in the world?
If you would like to witness a starling murmuration for yourself, here are a couple of websites listing the best places to see them. You won’t regret it!
https://www.discoverwildlife.com/holidays-days-out/uk/best-places-to-see-roosting-starlings
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SOURCES
https://www.astrology.com/spiritual-meaning-animals/starling
https://www.whats-your-sign.com/starling-symbolism-and-meaning.html
I really enjoyed reading both essays on the Starlings, Melissa. I hope to see that murmuration someday. I like your point about: "Nature’s magic surrounds us every day. We just need to stop and pay attention." Thank you for sharing.
So, so magical. One of those profound moments for you. I'm so glad you managed to capture some of it for us all to see! 🙏☺️