While the fire was raging I took a video of the building. Weeks afterwards when I viewed it I noticed an easle outside that hadn't been tucked away for the winter. There on the top was a bird, which seemed inprobable since it was mere few feet away from a very hot fire. When I eventually went outside to examine the easle I realized it was the canvas clip. My inspiration for a murmurring of starlings was born out this illusion.