Starling Trail

Starling Murmuration – Walton Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6143

I was very pleased with this picture taken recently at RSPB Ham Wall.  It shows a group of visitors at the first viewing platform enjoying a fabulous starling display.  I got this image by accident, a few seconds earlier I was standing at the front of this group but moved to the back to photograph the flocks arriving high over Walton Heath.  When I heard the joy of the crowd I turned around and grabbed the picture.

Today I would not have been able to get that picture as the reserve was covered in thick fog.

In the fog you could still spot the brand new benches installed by the RSPB.  They also cleared a stretch of brambles to improve the view across Walton Heath.  Thank you.

New Bench – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2433

In the fog a great white egret jumps out across the canal.

Great White Egret – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2408

It was an atmospheric view across the marsh.  It least I could just make out a single duck in the distance.

Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID JB_2441

To stand any chance to watching the starlings I had to get close.  I took a risk and walked around the track that follows the edge of Walton Heath.  There are only a few gaps between the trees where I could get a view.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2464

The flocks did get bigger.  But I could just about hear that most of the birds had flown over to the roost site north of the viewing platform.  It was too late to move, and too foggy to see anything from the viewing platform.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2511

Luckily, it was not long before some large group descended into the reeds on Walton Heath.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2844

It was much darker than this picture suggests. The reeds were black with so many birds packed together.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2636

In the fog the birds continue to roll through the reeds.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2710