Crowds of spectators gathered on Belfast’s Albert Bridge on Saturday for an event to both educate and celebrate one the greatest natural wonders on display in the city.
Thousands of starlings have returned to the skies above Belfast following work by conservationists to minimise light pollution in the area.
Wild Belfast, which works to protect and enhance the city’s natural habitats, said numbers had fallen from thousands to just a few dozen starlings in the winter of 2022.
It’s believed that on new public realm works in the area, including the installation of new lighting under the Albert Bridge was in part responsible for driving the birds from their roost.
Following successful lobbying to mitigate the impact of the new lighting, thousands of starlings are once again soaring above east Belfast and the River Lagan.
Wild Belfast chair Conor McKinney, who spoke at Saturday’s event, said it was organised as both a celebration of the much-loved murmuration, and a chance to sound the warning over what needs to be done in the future.
“Wild Belfast is here to protect the biodiversity of this city, but certainly it struck us how passionate people were about it and how sad they seemed to be to have lost it,” he said.
“One of the things we saw last year as we were working to sort the issue out, was just how invested people were with this particular spectacle in Belfast.
“People were talking about it being in the city for decades, and they remember their parents taking them to see it.”
The wildlife conservationist said Saturday’s event was a chance to bring people together with the murmuration and to say while it’s back, it could have ended differently.
“What we wanted to say to Belfast was, we managed to get it back, but we may not be able to secure it the next time.
“Things like planning can have a deleterious effect on wildlife in the city, but it doesn’t need to, with a bit more consideration,” he said.
“We have a good opportunity now with Belfast City Council now, where we can encourage better development for wildlife.
“Let’s drink this in. It’s important for the city, we’re all in agreement there. But we need to make sure that whatever planning happens in the future, that it’s better considered.”
