Starling Trail

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID BR55440

A night of blood red skies and a hundred thousand starlings at RSPB Ham Wall.

But before the starlings arrive a small group of seagulls finds it way home high up in the Mendip Hills.  Often large flocks of herring gulls fly out from Ham Wall just before the noisy starlings arrive.

Seagulls flying home – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID BR55312

A long line of starlings approach Ham Wall through the beautiful sky.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID BR55462

A huge flock of starlings slowly drifts through the sky.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID BR55529

Then gradually lowers towards the ground.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID BR55538

On the other side

Before dropping into their chosen reed bed for the night many of the starlings made a temporary stop off around the other side of the Avalon Hide.  On this side the sky lacks the red looking the other way but the starling show is just as interesting.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID BR55805

A marsh harrier did a slow fly-by and spooked the flock.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID BR55909

After a few minutes the flock lifted out of the reeds and hopped over the Avalon Hide to join the others.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID BR55892

All Together

In a noisy scramble they drop down in the reeds in front of the viewing platform to roost for the night.

Starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID BR55637

And finally..

A treat on the way back to the car park as you crossed the wooden bridge.

Red Skies – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID BR55697