Starling Murmurations at Eastbourne Pier – Why They Gather Each Winter

Описание: Each winter, thousands of starlings gather above Eastbourne Pier in East Sussex to perform one of nature’s most extraordinary displays — the starling murmuration.

Filmed in mid-February, this video captures the sunset murmuration over the pier, along with the early morning departure at first light. You’ll see how the flock builds before sunset, tightens into flowing formations, and then drops beneath the pier to roost for the night.

In this film I explain:

• What a starling murmuration is
• Why murmurations happen in winter
• Why Eastbourne Pier is an ideal roosting site
• Why the display happens at sunset
• When to see the murmurations in Eastbourne

Starlings form murmurations as a defensive behaviour, using coordinated movement to protect against predators such as peregrine falcons. Coastal structures like Eastbourne Pier provide shelter, height, and safe roosting points throughout the colder months.

If you're planning to visit Eastbourne to see the murmurations, late autumn through to early spring — particularly calm evenings around sunset — offers the best chance of witnessing this spectacle.

Location:
Eastbourne Pier, Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK

Subscribe for more wildlife, landscape and local history films from Sussex.

#Eastbourne #EastbournePier #Murmuration #StarlingMurmuration #SussexWildlife #EastSussex #SussexCoast #WinterWildlife