Each winter, thousands of starlings fill the seafront skies between the Palace Pier and the rusting bones of the West Pier. Gathering at dusk they perform their aerial dance in breathtaking murmurations. Once overlooked, natural spectacles like these became a source of joy for many during lockdown and the starling murmurations are now part of Brighton’s living heritage, enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Starling flock on Brighton seafront (photo by Steve Gelliot)
The area’s natural heritage is recognised internationally through the Brighton & Lewes Downs UNESCO Biosphere, also known as ‘The Living Coast’, designated in 2014. As the only urban biosphere in the UK, it covers 390 square kilometres of coastline, chalk grassland, and urban areas. All important areas necessary for our starlings to thrive. |
But with starling numbers across the UK having fallen by around 80 percent, we can’t take the murmurations for granted. That’s why, working with The Living Coast and others, we are lauching a new project to recognise and protect Brighton and Hove’s starlings to get the area between the piers designation as a Wildlife Heritage Area. |
Starlings are a surprisingly colourful bird (Photo by Steve Geliot)
Wildife Heritage Areas are places that offer an outstanding wildlife watching, where local people recognise their natural heritage with a deep sense of pride and play a central role in protecting wild animals and their habitats.
In seeking recognition for Brighton’s winter starling murmurations, we aim to raise public awareness of the value of our wildife, both for our mental health and wellbeing, and the economic benefit in encouraging visitors to city out of season, as well as helping provide an audience for the many local artists and craftpeople gaining inspiration from these characterful birds and their murmurations.
Who we are
Starling City was set up in December 2025 with a steering group made up of local wildlife groups, representatives from the University of Brighton, the business community, the local authority, Visit Brighton, together with sustainable tourism, art and wildife experts.
We share a common aim which is to grow appreciation of the murmurations far and wide, while helping spread understanding of the actions local community members can takeWe are also keen to to support a healthy starling population.
We will also be fundraising for interpretive signage, nest box installation, training for businesses and creative community events that celebrate murmuration season and the future of Brighton’s wildlife.
Join the movement
Support from local businesses, organisations, and community members will be vital to making this project a success. Whether you can sponsor signage, help facilitate school visits, contribute to nest box installation, or, as a seafront business , share information about the murmuration with your guests, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at [email protected] and help us build our own flock.
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We are also looking for a volunteer to support us with coordinating the project. The Project Coordinator will help organise the Brighton Starling City project in progressing its application for Wildlife Heritage Area (WHA) status. Find out more about the role here.
The West Pier has turned into a valuable habitat for wildife. Starlings, comorants and various gulls are all regularly seen roosting on and circulating around the structure (Photo by Steve Geliot)