The internet gifts moments of delight - one such erupted across my social media feeds yesterday - the amazing photograph by Jarlath Flynn of hedgehogs - sorry - starlings sending a message of love and support to this very petition (that is the only explanation that seems to make any sense). 

I have had the pleasure of watching many a starling murmuration - it is a quite extraordinary spectacle - like the dancing shoals of fish on a coral reef, but above our heads on a cold winter dusk. 

The reason they do this is thought to be related to predator defence. They are alerting other starlings to the fact that this is a good place to roost - to settle for the night - and the more there are, the less likely it is going to be you that is eaten!

So how did Jarlath get this photo? He is based in Edinburgh but has been heading to Gretna for the last nine years to photograph the spectacle ... there may be one near you - I found this website that should give you some pointers - or find your local birding group and ask. 

Anyway - this image is the perfect example of a great photograph - because those are always the result of vast amounts of hard work, coupled with a sprinkle of good fortune - the positioning of the eye was so good I was forced too look very closely for evidence of photoshop ... there was none. 60,000 starlings sending a message of support to our lovely hedgehogs? Or just a bit of luck? If he had grabbed this a few years ago I would have included it in my book all about the iconography of hedgehogs .... maybe there should be a new edition!

And finally - THANK YOU to Jarlath for letting me use this image. Like many people, I shared a post about it yesterday, unaware of the person responsible. Now I know - and am thrilled that he is a supporter, like you all, of this petition!