Starling murmurations
3 places to see and hear starling murmurations in the wild, in 3 countries from Denmark to Italy: when each one peaks, where to go on your own, what it costs and what you will hear. Wild animals only, no zoos.
Best time, place by place
| Spectacle | Country | Peak | On your own? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 'Sort sol' — starling murmurations over the Wadden Sea marshes | Denmark | 1 Sep – 20 Oct and 1 Mar – 10 Apr | You can go on your own |
| Starling murmurations | United Kingdom | 20 Nov – 31 Jan | You can go on your own |
| Starling murmurations in Rome | Italy | 1 Dec – 31 Jan | You can go on your own |
Where to go, north to south
'Sort sol' — starling murmurations over the Wadden Sea marshesThe rush of a million wings folding in a single turn, the crackle of the flock settling into the reed, then a vast chattering roost; a raptor strike sends a rippling roar through the whole mass; morning departures leave in waves.
Starling murmurationsThe whoosh of tens of thousands of wings turning together, then a huge chattering as they settle into the reeds or under a pier; the dawn explosion out of the roost is even louder.
Starling murmurations in RomeMillions of starlings wheeling over the Tiber and EUR, then a massive chattering roar in the city trees against traffic and bells.