Sort sol

What is Sort Sol?

Sort sol is a very special and beautiful sight in the sky. It looks like a dark sun setting, but it is really made by thousands of starlings. This amazing event happens in the marshlands of southwestern Jutland in Denmark, close to the towns of Tønder and Ribe.

When and Why It Happens

Sort sol happens in the spring and autumn. This is when the starlings are traveling between their winter homes in southern Europe and their summer areas in Scandinavia and around the Baltic Sea. Just after sunset, very large groups of starlings gather in the sky. They make wonderful, moving shapes, like a dance. Because there are so many birds, they can cover the sunset and make the sky look like a black sun. In Danish, "sort sol" means “black sun.”

A Safe and Beautiful Sight

When a bird that might scare them flies close, the starlings work together to stay safe. They find smart ways to protect themselves. This helps them rest for the night. People from all over come to see this beautiful and peaceful sky show. It is a wonderful reminder of how animals can work together and create something truly magical.