Starling Watch

Loxtons – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_4900

I did not expect this to be one of the best starling nights ever – but sometimes they keep their surprise secret – you just needed a little patience.

The Wilderness

I expected the birds to roost in the Loxtons.  I waited there for the sun to set only to watch the starlings disappear into the west.  They were dropping into the reeds near Wilderness Drove at the far end of RSPB Ham Wall.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_4654

It is a long walk from the viewing platform down to Wilderness Drove.  The footpath is lined with trees so you loose sight of the starlings.  So starting that journey is a big decision.  Finally, I decided to take the plunge and ran down the track.  As it opened out I could see the starlings were already in the reeds.

They had not yet settled long so I stayed to experience the roost and its noise.

Suddenly, the birds surged up and out, over the trees, heading back east to Loxtons.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_5228

As hundreds of thousands of starlings flew low over our heads the sight, sounds (and droppings) were astonishing.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_5215

The amazing spectacle of a sky full of starlings.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_5042

Looking upwards into a whirlpool of birds only a few feet above our heads.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_5046

Eventually, the stream of birds stopped and the reed bed fell silent.  But on the long walk back to the car park we passed the birds again in the reeds of Loxtons Marsh.