Starling Trail

by Jeff Bevan · Published 5th January 2017 · Updated 15th January 2017

Today the evening weather was looking good so I decided to go to the Tor View hide in RSPB Ham Wall to capture the starling murmurations. Going to the hide turned out be a big mistake. However, the evening changed when a pair of low-flying Hercules aircraft took on one million birds.

Tor View Hide

Sitting in the comfort of the hide the first few starlings arrived.

Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_0876

The next group of birds did not follow. Instead they stopped and turned north creating some great patterns in the sky. I could only photograph these by leaning out the window of the hide and grabbing a shot over the reeds.

Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_0857

First Viewing Platform

I ran back to the first viewing platform only to discover hundreds of other people were already there enjoying the display.

Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_0883

In the good weather the birds floated around in the sky putting on a great display.

Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_0906

Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_0900

Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_0909

Return to Waltons Heath

Much of the flock circled around and flew back over the Waltons (perfect for the hide if I was still there).

Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_0911

Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_0928

The birds in the roost north of the viewing platform were restless. It was getting very dark but I knew it was worth waiting a few minutes to see what they would do.

Starlings vs Hercules

As I hoped all the birds lifted out of the reeds and started to fly back to Waltons Heath.

Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_0992

A steady stream of birds flying back. The pictures make it look like bright day light but it was 4:45pm and very dark.

Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_1005

Then to our surprise a pair of Hercules aircraft fly directly over the flock. The birds dropped like a stone into the reeds. The wave of birds can be seen dropping into the reeds in the lower left corner of the this grab shot.