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
HOPPING onto the scales, these adorable baby Humboldt penguins are ready for their first weigh-in .
When couples talk about wanting a white wedding, few will be referring to getting hitched on a glacier sat on top of an active volcano .
A baby sperm whale assumed the role of a friendly giant when faced with two awestruck divers .
AN ITALIAN mechanic has created the world’s most ferocious mini-car .
THESE kingfishers prove no rod is needed as they go fishing for their dinner .
At least three people have been killed and more than 100 injured, some seriously, in two explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon .
PICKING up a tiny tea-pot with its paws, a little red squirrel struggles to prepare its morning tea .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
A hungry hippo is seconds away from catching a bird in its gigantic jaws .