These brave sea swimmers were rewarded last night by a colourful sunset and glorious starling murmuration. 

The swimmers, from Brighton's Salty Seabirds swim group, were taking part in their monthly full moon swim yesterday evening. 

Despite temperatures around 5C, the swimmers took to the waters and were rewarded with a multicoloured sunset as the Palace Pier's resident starlings went in to roost. 

The Argus: Swimmers photographer the sunsetSwimmers photographer the sunset (Image: Simon Dack)

Starling murmurations are a symbol of winter in the city and thousands of people flock to the beach each year to watch the displays. 

Brighton's starlings featured on popular nature programme BBC Winterwatch two weeks ago and the next day around 5,000 people came to watch them. 

This year, starling murmurations began later than normal due to an unseasonably warm autumn. 

The Argus: Starlings display in their thousands before going in to roostStarlings display in their thousands before going in to roost (Image: Simon Dack)

"Normally the murmurations start in early November but the unusually warm weather seemed to delay things," said Steve Geliot, co-founder of the Save Our Starlings campaign in Brighton

"But I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about starling numbers this year.

"Council projects over the summer have really helped.

"People are also providing food and water for the birds during the cold weather."