THERE are concerns that the city’s famous starling murmurations could be lost forever due to the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

Artists Steve Geliot and Louise McCurdy warn that the spectacular displays could disappear from the skies above Brighton as soon as 2026.

The pair believe that pesticides, including neonicotinoids, are harming, and killing insects eaten by birds, including starlings.

The Argus: Thousands of starlings form the shape of the Loch Ness Monster in Brighton Thousands of starlings form the shape of the Loch Ness Monster in Brighton

Steve said: “Many birds, not just starlings, are being affected by the crash in insect populations.

“Starlings eat mainly insects and unsustainable and intensive agriculture is killing our insects

“But it’s not just the neurotoxins, light and noise pollution also badly impacts on wildlife. So, when you put all these factors together, you realise we are in a bad place.”

When birds eat affected insects, the chemicals can harm development and decrease their ability to reproduce.

Steve and Louise have started a petition, calling on Brighton and Hove City Council to implement an outright ban on chemical fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and worming treatments in The City Downland Estate – the council’s rural estate in the South Downs.

The petition has now received more than 600 signatures.

Steve, who has co-created an exhibition on starling murmuration at the Phoenix Art Galley in Waterloo Street, said the display has become synonymous with the city and that it “must be protected.”

He said: “They bring in a lot of visitors and that’s a rather nice thing. When you think about our starling population, it’s a combination of local birds that stay here all year round and other ones that come here from Europe.

“That’s what makes a murmuration is the numbers. It’s a perfect metaphor for the city because it’s not just the people who live here that make it special, but the people who visit here too.”

A council spokesman said: “The council’s environment team is already committed to phasing out most pesticide use by the end of this year.

“Officers are looking into what other measures we may be able to take.

“Councillors will look at the issues involved in more detail when the petition comes to the relevant committee.”

Undercurrents starling display is open to the public until Sunday, February 20.

To view the petition, visit https://www.change.org/p/brighton-and-hove-city-council-save-our-starlings

Have you got a story for us? Email news@theargus.co.uk or contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01273 021 400.