Starling Trail

Starling Murmuration - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1061

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1061

Three starling tornados raising out above the reeds at RSPB Ham Wall.

Another Sunset

The end of another week watching the starling murmurations at Ham Wall on the Somerset Levels in the UK.

Starling Murmuration - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1475

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1475

Another beautiful sunset adds some golden glow to the flock.

Starling Murmuration - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1981

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1981

The swirling flocks of 100,000+ birds slowly drop down in the reedbed to roost for the next.

Starling Murmuration - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2010

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2010

The reeds, surrounded by water, offer some protection.  Apparently the water is warmer than the air, so helping them get through the winter night.

Starling Murmuration - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1061

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_1061

Not so many visitors watch the starlings leave in the morning.  Today they took off in three huge waves.  Each wave took about 10 seconds to leave the roost.

One second

The starlings make so much noise in the roost.  But for one second they go silent, they all take a deep breath and launch into the sky.

Starlings Takeoff - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2767

Starlings Takeoff – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2767

Two seconds

Starlings Takeoff - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2778

Starlings Takeoff – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2778

Three seconds

Starlings Takeoff - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2786

Starlings Takeoff – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2786

Four seconds

Starlings Takeoff - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2790

Starlings Takeoff – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2790

Five seconds

Starlings Takeoff - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2796

Starlings Takeoff – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2796

Six seconds

Starlings Takeoff - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2799

Starlings Takeoff – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2799

Severn seconds

So many birds they fill the sky!

Starlings Takeoff - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2803

Starlings Takeoff – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2803

After the last wave the reserve falls very quiet.

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