Starling Watch
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_4073
The starling season is well underway on the Somerset Levels. This was my first week on the starling watch so here is a quick catch-up.
Sunday
The first of a series of large flocks flying in from the east over the Waltons Heath towards the Loxtons Marsh.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_3447
The starlings stream down into the reeds in front of the sunset.
Starling Mumuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_3590
The birds roosted deep in the marsh, passed the viewing screen and a long distance from the main path through Ham Wall.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_3629
Monday
The next day brought out a beautiful sky.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_4079
Today the birds dropped down into Waltons Heath.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_4135
However, the birds did not settle and repeatedly raised in waves across the reed bed.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_4138
As the sky became dark the birds moved back to the Loxtons Marsh.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_4153
Tuesday
Another day, and following a change in the weather and the starlings put on a fabulous aerial display.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_4880
They circled across the sky for several minutes putting on the best display I have seen for a long time.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_4881
It had to remind myself that there was only 30,000 birds. In a month or two there should be more than a million!
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_4885
The birds finally roosted in the Loxtons Marsh.
Starling Roost – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_4972
Wednesday
The weather changed again as the blue of midday quickly clouded over.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_5144
Not a good day for a display. Instead the birds funnelled into the reeds.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_5158
A mass of birds only a few yards away.
Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 826_4900
