Starling Trail

The first flock - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3106

The first flock – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3106

The first large flocks arrive at RSPB Ham Wall for another cool winter night roosting in amongst the reeds.

Starling Murmuration - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3175

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3175

Yet another the weather was kind.  I was able to look west to watch the flock descend and catch the beautiful colours in the sky.

Starling Murmuration - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3204

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3204

Soon hundreds of thousands of birds were dropping like rain into the reeds.

Starling Murmuration - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3259

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3259

The sky was so full of birds that even with my camera lens wide open I could not get them all in the picture.

Starling Murmuration - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3307

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3307

An amazing sight, and an amazing noise.

Starling Murmuration - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3335

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3335

Luckily the birds picked a roost site near to one of the reserve tracks.  Up close to could see a sparrowhawk dashing back and forth between the trees.  I had little hope in capturing the hawk as it was so quick. Each time I set off a burst and pictures at 20 frames a second.  When I got home I found just one image with a clear view of the hawk – just a bit out of focus!.

Starling Roost and Sparrowhawk - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3462

Starling Roost and Sparrowhawk – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3462

And finally…

This is a video taken just before.  If you watch to the end and look close you can just see the hawk flying low to the ground.

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