Wonderdate: 2011
Wondered into being by: Sophie Windsor Clive and Liberty Smith
Wonderspan: 2 min
To experience this wonder at its best: Click on the full screen icon and make sure you can hear the sound.
Two tourists canoeing down Ireland’s longest river, the Shannon, are surprised by a huge murmuration of starlings at the point of their migration. A murmuration, so named for the wave-sound of the flock's beating wings as it lurches and swoops, can be up to a million birds strong. A study (says the BBC) has found that the murmuration's movements are due to each starling independently following just three rules. The first two – fly at the same speed and stay close to your neighbours – collects the birds into a ball. The third – steer clear of objects, predators and potential threats – creates the swirling motion we see. The study claims that each starling only needs to keep an eye on its seven nearest neighbours while following these rules – simple!
Thanks to Becky H for suggesting this one! More about migrations later on in the year...
Poetry in motion.... The swallows have just arrived in Granada (Spain). Came back from Easter break and here they are!
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