Steve Geliot, an artist and sculptor who moved to Brighton in 1981, has transformed his fascination with Starling murmurations into a dedicated conservation mission. Having witnessed the local flock dwindle from 50,000 birds to a fraction of that size, Steve pivoted his career in lens-based media and sculpture to document and combat this decline.
His work strikes a balance between creative expression and rigorous advocacy. Following a major commission for RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Steve began gathering systematic data on Brighton’s Starlings. He has now completed five years of a projected 20-year study, submitting his findings to the Sussex Biodiversity Records Office. His research aligns with the two main identified critical threats: the collapse of insect populations and the loss of nesting sites.
During a collaborative exhibition with fellow artist Louise McCurdy, Steve launched the ‘Save Our Starlings’ petition, which garnered nearly 120,000 signatures. This effort led to a landmark 2022 council debate, resulting in a clear policy change towards the reduction in the use of pesticides on the City Downland Estate and new measures to reduce light pollution through advocacy. Beyond policy, the duo raised funds to install 200 Starling nest boxes across the city.
Steve’s influence extends into scientific and parliamentary circles. He is a published citizen scientist and contributes to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Darker Skies. Steve is currently collaborating with Dr Rachel White at Brighton University on Starling research. To fund his upcoming book on Starlings, “The Dandy Passerine”, Steve works as a bus driver—a testament to the grassroots nature of his activism. Through local media and podcasts like ‘Get Birding’, he continues to bridge the gap between art and environmental policy, fighting to preserve Brighton’s most iconic avian spectacle.
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