Starling Trail

Great Tit – RSPB Ham Wall, Avalon Marshes, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0667

Everyone likes the little birds that hang around the paths and hides at RSPB Ham Wall.

Starling Murmurations

I could not make the evening starling displays at the starling roost over Christmas.  So I switched to watching the birds take off in the mornings.

The weather has not always been kind over the Christmas holidays.  Over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this was probably my favourite picture.  Starlings pour out of the reeds in front of the Tor View Hide.  In the background Glastonbury Tor is still visible.

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9257

I wanted something better so on Boxing Day, I decided to try something different. A couple of hours before dawn I headed out to find a view point on the opposite side of Waltons Heath at Ham Wall.

I chose a spot while it was too early for the starlings so I had the time to catch some stars.

Waiting for Dawn – Waltons Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9374

But an hour later the starlings launched into the sky all around me!

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9668

Within seconds the sky was full of birds leaving their roost.

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9714

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9747

Turning around and another hundred thousand birds filled the western sky.

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9872

Sunrise

Once the display was over it was time to relax at the Waltons Lagoon.  The clouds had a deep red glow.

Waltons Lagoon – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0106

A marsh harrier flew by the morning clouds.

Marsh Harrier – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0167

And finally…

The ducks enjoyed the sunrise over the lagoon.

Waltons Lagoon – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_0514