Starling Trail

Mute Swans – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_5731

It was fun having some company while sitting on a bench waiting for the starlings to arrive at RSPB Ham Wall in Somerset.

Starlings at Sunset – Ham Wall, Somerst, UK. ID JB1_5800

The first starlings arrived through the dark evening sky.

Starlings at Sunset – Ham Wall, Somerst, UK. ID JB1_5831

They dropped into reed beds on the other side of the Tor View hide near the first, and brand new, viewing platform.

Starlings at Sunset – Ham Wall, Somerst, UK. ID JB1_5855

But I had moved to the far side of Waltons Heath in the hope of seeing the flocks fly through a sunset that was developing.

Starlings at Sunset – Ham Wall, Somerst, UK. ID JB1_5899

Soon the sky was full of starlings.  As more people began to gather around my bench the swans took to the water.

Starlings at Sunset – Ham Wall, Somerst, UK. ID JB1_5905

After the sun had dropped below the horizon an unbelievably deep red sunset began to spread across the sky.

Ham Wall Sunset – Avalon Marshes, Somerset, UK. ID JB1_5947

Small groups of starlings were still streaming in from all directions.

Starlings at Sunset – Ham Wall, Somerst, UK. ID JB1_5953

Starlings at Sunset – Ham Wall, Somerst, UK. ID JB1_5965

Once the reeds the birds did not settle, instead they moved in waves across the heath getting closer and noisier.

Starlings at Sunset – Ham Wall, Somerst, UK. ID JB1_6000