BIRDS OF A FEATHER: Starlings form a cloud before settling into the trees on Haulashore Island
A fascinating spectacle is on show in Nelson at sunset.
As the light fades thousands of starlings gather together in flight.
In a riveting display of aerobatics they merge as one soaring and swooping without collision.
Nelson resident Helen Gowland captured the starlings with her camera as they homed in over Haulashore Island.
Her partner, Stewart Easton, said they had gone down to the fishing place on Rocks Rd to watch the sun set when they saw the birds.
"There were millions of them. I can't understand how they fly so close in formation," said Mr Easton.
Ms Gowland said: "You just watched with amazement as they whirled around, broke into groups and came back - and with the sunset as well, it was brilliant.
Nelson ornithologist Peter Gaze said at this time of year starlings gathered in flocks both for feeding on pasture but also for roosting at night. The pines on Haulashore were one such roost site.
A flock of starlings is called a murmuration.
Mr Easton said it split in two with one half flying towards Marybank and the other towards Tahunanui Beach. "Then as if on a signal they decided to come back together and hovered then settled into the trees."
Mr Gaze said it appeared to be a mechanism for checking that everything was in place before tucking up for the night.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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