to settle into its normal rhythm.
Behind him, passengers were relaxing into their seats.
Some were looking out the windows. Others were settling in for the journey. A few had already begun reading, sleeping, or preparing for the hours ahead.
Nobody knew that the peaceful beginning of the flight was about to disappear.
The Small Flock Suddenly Became a Swarm
continues on the next page.
Within minutes, the situation changed dramatically.
The few birds Jason had noticed earlier were no longer alone.
More appeared.
Then more.
What initially looked like an ordinary group of birds rapidly developed into an enormous flock moving directly around the aircraft.
Jason watched as the birds filled the space surrounding the plane.
They were above the wings.
Below them.
Ahead of the aircraft.
And, alarmingly, beside the fuselage.
The flock moved in a dense and chaotic formation, making it difficult
