A thousand starlings land on Durdham Downs

A flock of 1,000 ceramic starlings have arrived on Bristol's Durdham Downs. It's hoped the art installation will help raise awareness of the decline in the starling population.

Live updates

Starling artwork highlights decline in numbers

October is traditionally the start of the season for observing staling murmurations Credit: ITV News

October is traditionally the start of the season for observing starling murmurations, where the birds can be seen in their thousands performing mesmerising aerial displays in the early evening. It's been a while, however, since Bristol witnessed a murmuration due to habitat loss.

Over the summer, residents of all ages from Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and Westbury-on-Trym have been working with artist Zoë Cameron to create their own clay bird, and have learned more about the dramatic decline in the starling population in the process.

"We've got a wonderful array of birds - some green finches have winged their way into the flock, and there are some very exotic-looking starlings! Many people have never used clay before and it's been a very therapeutic process for them.

I'm delighted that so many people have been part of this stunning artwork. All birds have been numbered and will be returned to their creators at the project's end, to rest and roost."

– Zoe Cameron, Artist

A thousand starlings land on Durdham Downs

1000 ceramic starlings on Durdham Downs. Credit: ITV West Country

A flock of 1,000 ceramic starlings have arrived on Bristol's Durdham Downs.

It's hoped the art installation will help raise awareness of the decline in the starling population. Each bird has been handmade by people from Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and Westbury-on-Trym.

October is the best time of year to see starling murmurations - where the birds can be seen flocking in their thousands in the early evening.

Starling murmurations Credit: PA

Members of the public will be able to see the installation on the corner of Parrys Lane until October 25.

Volunteers will be on hand to provide information on the project at a bird-hide on sight.

Advertisement

Back to top