STARLING MURMURATIONS are set to darken the winter skies as part of an incredible not-to-be missed wildlife spectacle.

Airborne displays by massed flocks of starlings are one of Scotland's most impressive winter highlights, according to RSPB Scotland, and it is now peak time to see them.

Gretna in the south of Scotland is a favourite location where tens of thousands of starlings gather noisily at dusk, before performing an extraordinary aerial ballet, wheeling and swooping in unison.

RSPB Scotland's Species Policy Officer Keith Morton said: "Watching thousands of starlings sweeping across the sky in unison is one of nature's unforgettable experiences. It starts with just a small group of birds before building into a swarming mass twisting and turning overhead, before plunging into their roosting spot to settle down for the night.

"They are very lively, chirpy birds, and surprisingly they are the same birds we see in our gardens each day, but to see a murmuration as dusk falls is a real treat."

Each year Scotland's starling numbers are boosted by migrating arrivals from continental Europe to spend the winter months here. Murmuration sites can vary each year, but other good locations that have been reported in 2014 include RSPB Scotland's Loch Leven and Mersehead nature reserves.

Despite the huge numbers of starlings that can be seen at this time of year, a decline in the population overall means they are now on the critical list of the UK birds most at risk. The State of UK Birds report shows that 81% of starlings have disappeared since 1970.

Keith Morton added: "Starlings put on a show like no other bird, but their decline in the UK has been alarming over the past 40 years. The RSPB has been carrying out a lot of research into this but there are simple things that everyone can do to help starlings and other birds throughout winter."

Like all birds in the cold winter months, starlings need a good source of high energy food and water. Make sure that your bird table is stocked up with seed, suet balls and nibbles to give birds a reliable food source throughout winter.