Starling Watch

Starling Murmuration – Loxtons Marsh, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_6928

It is not often that the starlings arrive back at Ham Wall before the sun sets.  Today, in the rain, it did making a magical evening.

Ham Wall

It had been a dull grey day and I was not sure if I would go to Ham Wall today.   Things got worse when it started to rain while I waited for the birds to arrive.

Starling Murmuration – Loxtons Marsh, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_6854

A small window of clear sky opened up just above the horizon.  It was far away but moving our way.

Starling Murmuration – Loxtons Marsh, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_6877

As the sun dropped into the clear sky it illuminated the cloud in beautiful evening light.  It was still raining as lines of birds streamed in and immediately dropped into the reeds.

Starling Murmuration – Loxtons Marsh, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_7024

I covered my camera with my hat and gloves to try and keep it dry.   But rain was falling hard on the front of the lens and pooling in the lens hood.  Now I realise why the hood has a series of drainage holes.

Starling Murmuration – Loxtons Marsh, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_6995

The water droplets created a mottled effect across the lower half of each picture.

Starling Murmuration – Loxtons Marsh, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_6970

I had to keep going as the sky was beautiful.

Starling Murmuration – Loxtons Marsh, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_7171

During each gap in the birds I tried to clean the lens and rearrange my make do rain cover.

Starling Murmuration – Loxtons Marsh, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_7056

The sun finally dropped as the birds flew around the reeds.

Loxtons Sunset – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_7212