Starling Murmuration

I spent four months travelling to different parts of the country to photograph the huge starling roosts that gather during the winter months. These huge roosts are one of the most spectacular sights to witness in the natural world in the UK. I eventually settled for this location near Gretna on the borders of Scotland and England because it was a relatively open site and I could get clear views of the Starlings as they performed their sky dance. When I was taking this sequence the numbers were unbelievable, and it was amazing to witness them ripple across the sky. I chose to turn this image to a black and white as it gave a more graphic feel to the image. The image represents the struggle for survival as the Starlings were being hunted by a Peregrine Falcon which caused panic throughout the whole flock.

Black and White category winner
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2009