A shopping centre courtyard in Whiteley, Hampshire, has become an unlikely winter roost for hundreds of pied wagtails.
As dusk falls, birds arrive from all directions, tails flicking as they crowd into ornamental silver birches.
High-pitched calls fill the air while the flock repeatedly lifts and resettles, searching for the best perches.
Most shoppers pass without noticing the spectacle above the lit storefronts.
The location suits the birds well on cold winter nights.
Artificial lights attract insects, providing a late food source.
Surrounding buildings block wind and retain warmth like giant radiators.
Heat spills from shop entrances as customers move in and out.
The trees offer safe, elevated perches beyond cats and urban foxes.
Communal roosting also brings social advantages.
Wagtails observe neighbours’ condition and feeding success before dispersing at dawn.
As darkness deepens, the noise fades and the flock settles into quiet, shared warmth.
