Cluster of dark objects seen over Regent’s Park, London

Date of sighting: 28/04/2025

Time of sighting: 13:21

Location: Regent’s Park, London.

Written Description

I lay on the grass and watched the sky, I started watching a cloud directly above me, I then noticed an object moving around just beneath the cloud I then noticed four other objects around the cloud, moving across it at the same speed, as though in formation. I watched these objects move in straight lines across the cloud and some moved in arcs next to the cloud. It appeared as though these objects faded away and disappeared.

Around 20 minutes after this first sighting, I noticed a larger and lower single object above me, drifting across the sky, though seeming to linger as though it were controlled. It was round and black, and a bright white flash came from it at intermittent moments (the flashing was not regular). It was definitely not a plane. I took two videos of this and several pictures.

About two hours later, I was near Edgeware Road (not that far from Regent's Park), at around 4.05pm. I was walking down the road and noticed a large low flying shifting object move across the sky. It had the appearance of a very large black slightly-deflated balloon, tumbling around itself, made up two halves. I immediately thought that is must be a huge untethered balloon and almost chose not to take a pic, but I did so just before it moved out of view. Just as it had gone out of view behind a building, a helicopter went across the sky, following its route, as though in pursuit of it. I have attached this photo - the object is seen as a dot near the wall two thirds of the way up near the building wall.

Enlargements of various objects from photographs submitted by the witness

My thoughts on some of the witness’s observations:-

>>>The first cluster of objects were directly above me.... moving across it at the same speed, as though in formation.

Sometimes 2 or more party balloons can be tied together in clusters, which could account for this.

>>> I watched these objects move in straight lines across the cloud and some moved in arcs next to the cloud.

The slight air currents can and will change direction locally at altitude even in relatively "still" conditions, meaning that while most of them will drift in the direction of the prevailing breeze, some balloons may curve or even swirl around on eddy currents.

>>>drifting across the sky, though seeming to linger as though it were controlled.

Again, floating objects will travel in the general direction of any breeze, although if & when this reduces or stops, so will the object stop or "linger".

>>>It was round and black, and a bright white flash came from it at intermittent moments (the flashing was not regular).

Sounds to me like the Sun reflecting off from a moving/ rotating black aluminumised foil helium balloon. (will only flash/reflect Sunlight directly at the observer when the angle is exactly right).

>>> had the appearance of a very large black slightly-deflated balloon ,tumbling around itself, made up two halves. I immediately thought that is must be a huge untethered balloon.

Yes, maybe a large (40 inch) balloon is exactly what it was? what looked from a distance like 'made up of two halves' could have been a number 8?

Black helium party balloons can come in all shapes & sizes, I will try to show some commercially available shapes which correspond to the images you captured below:-

 In summary, my thoughts are that from looking at your images and reading your written statement, all of what has been observed and reported on that occasion in London would appear to be entirely consistent with the objects being helium foil party balloons. Perhaps as it seems there were various shapes seen including the number '1' and possibly the number '8', maybe it was balloons released in or near to the Regents Park/ Edgeware Road area to celebrate an 18th birthday?

Although this is not a definitive identification, I would say this would be the best fit and therefore in all probability the most likely explanation for what you report.

Evaluation provided by Mark Easen, BUFORA Investigations Coordinator