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
A lazy otter finds the ideal spot to soak up the sun and sleep off his lunch .
DIVING boffins fired harpoons into 30-foot-long whale sharks in a bid to put the sea-beasts on Google Maps .
LYING flat out on his back, this little meerkat makes the most of the English sunshine .
A Birmingham man inspired by sci-fi film Wall-E, has created a one- wheeled vehicle, controlled by signals from his BRAIN .
LYING back in the snow, these two polar bears share a cuddle as they call time out on playtime .
NEVER mind being careful not to choke on your food, this mother bird has a bigger challenge on her hands, as her ravenous offspring impatiently launches its head down into her stomach .
An American black bear mimics John Travolta’s famous Saturday Night Fever dance move by hurling its arm in the air .
PUSHING the diver out of his way, this little sea turtle shows he’s not in the mood for photographs .
AT 4,800 metres high and just three metres wide, this is the most dangerous road in the world .
IN a galaxy far, far away, this collection of stunning interstellar formations will leave you STARSTRUCK .
A BLIND man was battered with a brick in a sickening attack by two thugs .
GLIDING through the water, these delightful frogs show off their vibrant colours as they practice their FROG crawl .