STAR-TI-LING: 40,000 STARLINGS MIMIC HITCHCOCK'S THE BIRDS- This could be the fearsome scene from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds as a flock of 40,000 starlings bask in the heat of a wonderful British sunset. The extraordinary light and shadows echoes the 1960s hit film as huge numbers of the birds appear ready to descend and attack earth below. Fortunately it was actually a far more peaceful setting on Brighton Pier as the amazing murmuration of the birds gathered around the coastline of the seaside resort. They swooped around in the winter sun in February this year, as captured by Hove based photographer Alan Mackenzie. He said despite the large numbers of birds, they have dramatically dwindled in recent decades.Alan, 32, said: "Moments like this make me proud to live on such a beautiful planet and appreciative of the fact that, as a human living in the modern world, I am privileged enough to observe it all
ARM extended and head flung back, this little chipmunk performs a loose-limbed yoga move .
A tiny puppy who lost his front legs after being hit by a train has been given and new LEASH of life with a set of wheels .
LIFTING their heads high and bumping beaks, these aggressive pelicans clash over fish .
A brave leopard kicks back and relaxes in the sunshine - just inches from an enormous crocodile .
WITH THEIR adorable big round eyes and fluffy white fur, these baby seals are cute enough to melt any heart .
ROLLING up snow in its tiny paws, this little squirrel is looking for a snowball fight .
WRAPPED up in classy headscarves, these adorable pooches are the picture of sophistication .
A man who conned tax officials out of £34 million and funded a lavish lifestyle of luxury hotels and restaurants has been jailed for one of the longest sentences in British criminal fraud history .
A mischievous fox cub demonstrates his playful side by biting his sibling’s tail .
