Falcon captured hunting during starling murmuration in Chester
Sarah Vickers who lives on Caughall Road said she has lived in Upton almost all of her life and does not recall ever seeing a murmuration so close.The 59-year-old said she was thrilled to see the display from her doorstep last week."I never expected to see that here," she said, adding "so near surburbia"."I was so pleased. It is amazing how the birds don't collide."Mr Cunningham said: "You really are seeing one of nature's amazing spectacles right in front of your eyes." He said he is thrilled he can show the footage to the students he works with to "demonstrate that amazing wildlife can be found right on your doorstep"."It's very accessible - and we captured it on a mobile phone," he said.The only downside for residents, though, he said was many of their vehicles were covered in bird "poo".Ruby Merriman, who is estate biodiversity manager at Chester Zoo, said the starlings will likely have been feeding on its habitats such as reed beds, wetlands and woodlands."The murmuration was so close to our estate, closer than ever and hopefully with our big plans to improve our habitats even more I am hoping they will be over the zoo in the future," she said.
The 33-year-old said: "It is one of the wonders of the natural world."It is one of the best spectacles we can see in the UK. Their agility and ability to avoid predators is breathtaking."She said the dominate theory behind murmurations is for the birds to avoid predators as they come to roost with "safety in numbers" by joining up in tight knit groups.Ms Merriman said the video appeared to show the starlings had been successful as the peregrine falcon was not seen to get any of the birds.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Everything you need to know about the Southern Agricultural Show
Thousands of people are set to gather this weekend for an event designed to celebrate the Isle of Man's agricultural annual Southern District Agricultural Show will take place on Saturday and Sunday at Orrisdale Farm in Ballasalla. Show secretary Zoe Hampton said the event, which was first held in 1914, represents an "opportunity for people to get together and have new experiences". What time will it open? The show will open at 09:30 BST on Saturday and go on until 18:00 BST on both days, with exhibitors expected to arrive each day by 09: grand parade at 16:00 will see the judging of the show's supreme champion. What activities will be available? As well as livestock shows, the annual event features local produce and trade stands, a tractor and vintage car parade, dog agility, show jumping, zumba and yoga music, sheep shearing, lawnmower parades and dance displays will also Hampton said the number of people involved in the show was "phenomenal".She added: "We want to give people the opportunity to have a go at these things, have fun and have a laugh." Visitors can also be tempted by local food stands, view arts and crafts on display, and witness stock judging."A lot of people don't realise there are all these locally made products on the Isle of Man," Ms Hampton said. The two annual agricultural shows, along with the Manx food and drink festival which was scrapped last year, were "very important" to local producers, she Hampton said the Southern Show helps to educate children about where food comes from, as well as raising awareness about the importance of the agricultural industry. Parking and tickets? Access to the car park is only available on the main A5 Douglas-to-Castletown stewards will direct members of the public where to year, the event attracted 15,000 people over the two days. Tickets are available online or at the event entrance. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Town's beloved cat stars in reimagined masterpieces
BBC A cat that was awarded the freedom of a town in the north of the Isle of Man has been immortalised in famous works of art. Thomas the cat was awarded the freedom of Ramsey last year, after being informally adopted by several retailers. He has been used as the subject for a number of reimagined classic works of art in an exhibition by Mannin Art group, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Twenty paintings which feature the famous feline resident have gone on display in various shop windows throughout the town. Wendy Turner from the art group came up with the idea for the trail and said she hopes it will encourage people from all around the island to visit Ramsey. The trail features a wide variety of reimagined classics, including Munch's The Scream, the Cat with the Pearl Earring, and Whisker's Mother. People are invited to walk around the town to try to spot all of the artworks hidden among shop window displays. Ms Turner said they were keen to do something special for the occasion and said they had "really enjoyed doing it". She also hoped the trail would encourage more people to the town and "attract business". She said it would take about an hour to find all the paintings in their various locations. "You can't tell me in that time that somebody isn't going to want a cup of coffee or a child isn't going to want an ice cream," she said. There are three pieces in St Paul's Square, which Ms Turner described as an "often forgotten area", in which they hoped to increase footfall through the trail. Chair of Mannin Art Tom Field said it also raised awareness of classic paintings, albeit with a feline twist: "Some of those paintings are well known... it might interest them in taking up painting too." Having only taken up painting and joining the group in 2020, he said it had become a big part of his life. He said: "Sometimes I can just sit and paint and focus on it, and it's very peaceful". As well as putting on the art trail, which runs until 22 August, there is also an exhibition of the group's work in St Paul's church hall to celebrate the milestone anniversary. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- BBC News
Free activities every night of summer holidays across Sefton parks
A range of free events for young people are being rolled out across Sefton's parks every night over the summer Park Nights activities include inflatable sports, archery, kin ball, which is a team game played with a large ball, along with crazy golf, go-karts and have been put on by Sefton Council and run from 17:00 to 19:00 BST throughout the week across parks in Birkdale, Bootle, Crosby, Formby, Litherland, Maghull, Netherton and Southport.A council spokesperson said: "Sessions will take place in parks across Sefton, offering a fantastic way for young people to stay active, try new sports, and enjoy the summer evenings." The free activities, which run until 29 August, are being put on as part of the authority's Active Sefton change weekly and are weather dependent, the council said. Locations Park Nights activities will take place at:Duke Street in Formby and Marian Gardens in Netherton from 17:00 to 19:00 BST every Monday, with the exception of Monday 25 AugustKirkstone Park in Litherland and Bedford Park in Birkdale from 17:00 to 19:00 BST on TuesdayKing George V in Maghull and Linacre Bridge Community Hub in Bootle from 17:00 to 19:00 BST on Wednesday Poets Park in Bootle and Hesketh Park in Southport from 17:00 to 19:00 BST on ThursdayCanning Road Recreation Ground in Southport and Coronation Park in Crosby from 17:00 to 19:00 BST on Friday Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
