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
SWIMMING in unison, millions of silverside fish dwarf the divers .
SQUEEZING their furry faces through a hole in a tree, a trio of curious baby squirrels leave their nest for the first time to explore their surroundings .
A diver attempts to control rising numbers of lionfish by feeding the venomous species to Caribbean reef sharks .
PILES of trash provide a living for thousands in Nairobi, Kenya .
SAT happily on the branch of a tree, this little frog appears unfazed by a surprise visitor .
AN ITALIAN mechanic has created the world’s most ferocious mini-car .
STARING eagerly into the camera, this little toad is full of curiosity .
Raising his arms above his head and lying flat on his back, a polar bear stretches as he sprawls out across the ice .
Kelly Harvey, 30 and new boyfriend Ryan Archbold -A bereaved wife once voted Mum Of The Year has been convicted of benefit fraud after claiming widow's allowance long after her new partner had moved in .
SAILING peacefully across a river in the early morning light, a fisherman in China keeps a 1000 year old tradition alive .
Is your cat bored? Do his usual playthings simply not do it for him anymore? Not to worry - there's an app for that .
THE TOWERING Irish cliffs of Moher stand tall over the rippling Atlantic Ocean .