Starling mumurations are a signal of autumn for many in Brighton.

But with the unusually warm weather lately, the people of Brighton and Hove are yet to be graced with this seasonal spectacle.

"Normally the murmurations start around now but the unusually warm weather seems to be delaying things," said Steve Geliot, co-founder of the Save Our Starlings campaign.

Small groups have been seen going in to roost at the Palace and West piers, with Mr Geliot estimating there was around 200 at the Palace Pier this weekend.

He said it is "very nerve-racking."

Mr Geliot has been in the Netherlands to film the birds on their migration flights from Eastern Europe.

Many starlings come to the South East coast of England from Poland.

"It is even warm in Poland, so although I did film some migration flights, I think there will be a much bigger second wave when the temperature finally drops," Mr Geliot said. 

Starlings are late to Brighton due to the warmer weather, but they are also suffering a steep decline in numbers.

According to Mr Geliot, in the UK starlings are disappearing at a rate of 150 an hour.

The Brighton Murmuration has dropped from 100,000 in the early 1980s to just 8200 last winter.

The Save Our Starlings campaign calls on Brighton and Hove City Council to ban the use of chemicals which are causing harm to starling populations.

The petition has garnered over 115,000 signatures, and also urges the council to reduce noise and light pollution which also impact starlings' behavior.

Last month, the Save Our Starlings campaign donated 100 nest boxes to community organisations, schools and other similar institutions in Brighton.

At the event, council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty said: “The sight of murmurations around Brighton’s piers and over the sea inspire so many of us in the winter months, capturing the wonder and vibrancy of nature in the city. 

"It is also a stark reminder of our city’s precarious wildlife and why we must do everything we can to protect biodiversity. Sadly, we know that the dazzling sight of starlings in flight masks their plummeting numbers."