Watch: Starling murmurations at Lough Ennell

Lough Ennell in Co Westmeath is renowned for being a prime location to witness a stunning natural phenomenon during winter and early spring. At dusk, starlings gather in large numbers, forming flocks containing up to a quarter of a million birds. They move together in extraordinary patterns across the sky, just above the water's surface.

Niamh McDonnell captured this breathtaking scene. Reflecting on her experience, she described it as akin to witnessing a ballet in the sky. "Their ever-changing patterns moved with such grace that, for a moment, all my worries seemed to fade, replaced by a deep sense of calm," she said.