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
FLOATING effortlessly on his back, this little otter laps up a rare glimmer of English spring sunshine .
A baby girl has become the youngest British patient to receive a life-saving cardiac operation after her heart swelled to twice its normal size within days of her birth .
COULD this £5,000 auction of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool front door be the most bizarre celebrity sale yet? The door, which looks-like it may have been knocked – and possibly kicked – very hard during its past, was used by members of Britain’s most famous band to visit lead-singer Paul McCartney when he lived at the address from 1955 to 1964 .
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .
PERCHING on top of a gate, this young barn swallow waits patiently for his mum to return with dinner .
PERCHED on a branch, this Little Owl plays third wheel to two love birds .
HUNDREDS of colour coordinated yarns lie abandoned in this once thriving textile mill .
A psychology student from California looks so much like Game of Thrones' Jon Snow that he is mobbed by fans of the fantasy show .
An American woman whose skin turned silver after using nose drops is warning people of the dangers of medicines containing the metal .
LOCATIONS bursting with vibrant greens and chestnut browns, these photographs capture the peaceful English countryside in all its glory .
THIS BIGFOOT 'Jesus bird' may look silly, but he's perfectly designed for walking on water .
Thousands of people are gathering at a stadium in Johannesburg for a memorial service for Nelson Mandela .