Throughout autumn and winter thousands of starlings come together and fill the Huddersfield sky, wheeling, turning and swooping in unison.
The reason for the huge flocks has long been a mystery, but one thing is for sure; it makes for beautiful viewing.
David Hemingway, group leader for the Huddersfield and Halifax RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), said the number of starlings roosting in the area has gone down over the last few years.
He said: “There used to be a huge roost in Huddersfield town centre many years ago but nowadays a lot of the buildings use a deterrent to stop them roosting.
“Starlings have reduced as a breeding bird in this country – there are less in numbers. We get a lot coming from the continent.
“Some very big flocks can just turn up in an area and then move on before we know it. They flock together in groups for a couple of reasons.
“Firstly there is safety in numbers, and secondly there is a big temperature benefit. In winter it is warmer when there is a group.”
June Taylor, who captured the video above of the jaw-dropping wildlife spectacle known as 'murmuration' from her garden on Warren House Lane, said: “It was one of the most striking murmurations I have ever seen and I have lived here since 1985.
“It was an astonishing sight.”
