Starling murmuration causes traffic issues

People were urged to stay away from a popular Common Starling mumuration site during the festive period due to traffic issues.

Staff at Otmoor RSPB, Oxfordshire, asked the public to avoid visiting during the Christmas and New Year break because of traffic. The nature reserve said the increase in visitors lead to significant traffic issues, including in neighbouring villages.

Common Starling murmurations at Otmoor caused the reserve to advise people not to visit during the festive period (Irene Harrison).

It added that this makes parking difficult, and results in damage to the soft road verges and car park edges – leading to cars getting stuck and gateways being blocked. This in turn prevents emergency vehicle access.

While visitors were asked to stay away from the reserve until after New Year's Day, the starling gathering is still viewable well into the new year.