A SPECIAL event to witness the seasonal gathering of thousands of starlings as they prepare to roost takes place this weekend.

The creatures will head for the RSPB Nature Reserve at Leighton Moss on Sunday from dusk, or around 3.30pm.

Iris Rose, of the reserve, said the birds tended to arrive in groups of between 50 to 100 from a ten to 30 mile radius and then swarm overhead sometimes in numbers of 10,000 to 15,000.

The birds head for the 200-acre reed bed to nest among the reed stems after spending their days feeding in the surrounding back gardens, woods and hedgerows.

Gripping the side of the stems, they huddle together as protection against predators and for warmth, said Mrs Rose.

“There are a lot of starling roosts in towns and cities because the buildings are warmer. As winter progresses many of them will go off towards Lancaster and Morecambe between December and January,” she said.

Now listed on the Red Data book as a bird species in decline, the starlings’ natural predator is the sparrowhawk which often arrives at the gatherings to try to pick off the odd bird.

Mrs Rose explained that the gatherings happened every day now and although the reserve could manage some groups it could not accommodate mass numbers.

She suggested anyone wanting to see the starlings could attend the event this Sunday or telephone the centre and visit over the next few weeks.

The event costs £2 for RSPB members, £1 for Wildlife Explorers or £4.50 for non-member adults and £2 for children.

The visitor centre is open between 9.30am and 4.30pm every day during winter and can be contacted on 01524-701601