Starlings put on spectacular aerial display after trees felled outside Winchester Fire Station

As previously reported, trees used by the starling murmuration to roost in outside Winchester Fire Station were cut down by the council this week in a bid to move them on.

The move left residents furious, and although a protest due to take place on on Friday evening failed to materialise, more than a dozen people turned out at the station, in Easton Lane, Winnall, to see the starling perform their spectacular aerial display.

The trees were cut down by arboriculturalists from Arborcare UK Ltd on behalf of Hampshire County Council at short notice on Tuesday morning. It is believed that the trees were cut down following complaints of the birds defecating on vehicles in nearby car parks.

Philippa Grodon, from Alresford, had brought her sons down to Winnall to see the display. She said: "It's a lot smaller now. We came last year and this year we've already come a couple of times.

"By the end of February they stop anyway, if [the council] had just waited a bit longer.

"[The display] is amazing, it just seems so short-sighted."

Following the felling of the trees, a number of people took to Twitter and called the Chronicle to vent their anger. Esme Holding, a resident from Carmen’s Lane, Compton, called it “underhand and wrong”.

“We have one of the greatest natural phenomenon in Europe on our doorstep and we just get rid of it.

“There was no consultation, they just turned up with the van and started cutting them down.”

An RSPB spokeswoman added: “Instead of looking at ways we can force nature into an ever smaller space, we should look at how we can live alongside wildlife and help give it a home.”

Defending the decision, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s facilities manager Matt Robertson said: “The trees to the rear of Winchester Fire Station have been removed due to the impact they were having on operational vehicles and the health and safety of staff.”

Hampshire County Council has been approached for comment.