Starling Moon

by Jeff Bevan · Published 21st December 2018 · Updated 3rd January 2019

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_6923

A special day at RSPB Ham Wall, not just because it was the winter solstice with a full moon, but also because my son came along!

Dawn

Early morning and I swapped my bed for the short trip to RSPB Ham Wall in the dark and the rain. I hoped it would be worth the effort.

Starling Dawn – Loxtons Marsh, Ham Wall, Somerset. UK. ID 827_6661

The birds gathered in groups immediately in front of the main track through Loxtons Marsh. It was an amazing sight. Again the birds turned the reed bed black before bursting out into the sky.

In the strong wind the birds were quickly blown west.

The birds did not get high preferring, or having no choice, but to remain low.

Evening

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_6843

The day remained cloudy into the evening and things did not promising as we sat in the Tor View hide in the middle of Waltons Heath. But gradually a few gaps appeared in the sky letting in some golden winter light.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_6718

The first flocks to arrive funnel down into the reed bed near the hide.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_0229 (Photo Simon Bevan)

A series of huge flocks flew in from the east, over the hide, before dropping into the roost.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_0334 (Photo Simon Bevan)

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_7120

The Encore

Once most of the birds were down we headed across to the footpath to watch the encore as the birds lift and fly back to Loxtons. Recently the birds have been doing this additional performance at the end of the main display.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_7145

An amazing sight as a stream of more than hundred thousands birds flew over our heads towards the full moon.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_7310

And Finally…

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_7306

This was a beautiful moon. It is very rare to get a full moon on the winter solstice. We were so lucky it appeared in a gap between the clouds just as the starlings were doing their encore.