Grey Lady
Someone is always watching – Waltons Heath, Somerset, UK. ID 827_8420
Another mild but dull grey day. But following a friends Christmas party I rushed crossed to RSPB Ham Wall only to discover a full car park and hundreds of people ready to watch the starlings return to their roost.
Recently, the birds have been a bit all over the place. Some people are lucky and pick a great spot, others have left disappointed. The birds have been dropping down in far end of the reserve then flying back to Loxtons Marsh and Waltons Heath. Then lifting out of Waltons back into Loxtons. All this movement seems to confuse late (starling) arrivals. As the birds fly in circles, and change direction, they have been creating some great shapes in the sky.
With a bit of imagination you can see all sorts of things in the shape of a murmuration.
The Grey Lady
Maybe this is the lady of the reserve in her flowing dress.
Grey Lady – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_8398
The Squirrel
I’ve taken a vote and apparently this one is a squirrel. Opinion is divided between the squirrel or a pufferfish.
The Squirrel – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_8293
The Vole
A vole scurrying away from a huge flock of starlings below.
The Vole – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_8362
The Speech
Perhaps this speech bubble captured on camera is evidence on how the starlings communicate during their murmurations.
Speech Bubble – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_8393
A Waterfall
Tumbling steps of water dropping down passed boulders into the reedbed.
The Waterfall – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_8307
And Finally…
In darker skies the starlings lift out of the Waltons Heath and fly back into Loxtons Marsh.
Crossing back to Loxtons – Waltons Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 827_8548
