This is the incredible moment thousands of starlings swooped on an unsuspecting fishing boat to catch their breath during a flight across the North Sea.

The flock of migrating birds landed on the vessel off the coast of the Netherlands - taking a well-earned break on its huge sails as darkness fell.

The huge murmuration was making its way to the UK from eastern Europe at the time, flying west in the search for food in the winter.

The boat’s captain, Sander Meijer, 37, managed to capture the moment on camera, quickly using his smartphone to take the incredible footage.

He said: “Sometimes when the night falls they come to rest on a ship. I have seen it before but these numbers of birds are extreme.

“When the daylight came they flew away, but the night after the ship once again was full of starlings.

“They didn’t cause any problems on the ship. Only some bird poop.”

Experienced fisherman Meijer said that while a starling landing is not uncommon, the sheer number of birds this time was a sight to behold.

The RSPB says that starlings flock in groups to share information and keep warm during the winter months.

The impressive aerial formations which can contain thousands of birds, also help to protect the group against predators.

This footage was filmed on November 7.

This is the incredible moment thousands of STARLINGS swooped on an unsuspecting fishing boat to catch their breath during a flight across the North Sea.

The flock of migrating birds landed on the vessel off the coast of Holland - taking a well-earned break on its huge sails as darkness fell.

The huge murmuration was making its way to the UK from eastern Europe at the time, flying west in the search for food in the winter.

But the scene was reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film ‘The Birds’, as the starlings inundated the boat, resting on every available space of the NG-21 Maria Chris.

The boat’s captain, Sander Meijer, 37, managed to capture the moment on camera, quickly using his smartphone to take the incredible footage.

He said: “Sometimes when the night falls they come to rest on a ship. I have seen it before but these numbers of birds are extreme.

“When the daylight came they flew away, but the night after the ship once again was full of starlings.

“They didn’t cause any problems on the ship. Only some bird poop.”

Experienced fisherman Sander said that while a starling landing is not uncommon, the sheer number of birds this time was a sight to behold.

The RSPB says that starlings flock in groups to share information and keep warm during the winter months.

The impressive aerial formations which can contain thousands of birds, also help to protect the group against predators.