Starling Murmurations have been of considerable interest for many years due to the spectacular phenomenon of their amazing display of numbers and shapes. The interest in the Lough Ennell Murmuration has grown considerably thanks to James Crombie and his famous Pic, along with Philomena Brady and her well publicised updates on the Facebook page Starling Murmurations Ireland created by Philip O’Byrne. I am asking Westmeath County Council to erect signs asking for all boaters/kayakers/walk boarders to abstain from going near the reeds where the Starlings roost. This is causing distress to the birds and may prevent this amazing phenomenon from returning. It would also be great to add to these signs to ask the public not to feed the ducks/swans bread, but frozen peas/corn or birdseed as other areas do. There are many entry points to Lough Ennell so I realise it is a big ask. Lilliput Adventure centre, Tudenham, Ladestown, Bloomfield Hotel. Butlers Bridge. I’m sure there are a few more. But what is the cost of a few signs compared to the disappearing wildlife?
I have been photographing the murmuration in Lough Ennell regularly, the photo in the shape of an arrow is of one I took this year. The displays are an amazing phenomenon that needs to be seen by all. But if we continue to disturb them to the level of encroaching on their roosting areas, they may stop arriving to their “safe space”

Please. I ask you for your support and thank you in advance.