Starling Trail

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_0750

The landscape of the Avalon Marshes is where a million starlings choose to spend their winter nights.  The marshes provide them some relative warmth and safety.  For us this provides an amazing spectacle to watch twice a day. The birds arrive around sunset, spend the night amongst the reeds, then leave in a rush at dawn.

The starling season starts in November with a few thousand birds then the number of birds increases to around a million at Christmas.  According to the RSPB there are currently about 70,000 birds.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_1193

The starling gathered north of the first viewing platform in Ham Wall, before circling around and roosting in the reed bed of the Waltons.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_1268

While waiting for the starlings to arrive I spent time photographing the friendly robins.

Robin – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_1916

The next day and the weather was not as good.  But we get to see some swirling patterns.

Starling Murmuration – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_2128

This year has seen the marsh harriers coming out in numbers.  They are hard to miss and if you are lucky they may spook the starlings into creating some of their famous murmuration patterns.

Marsh Harriers – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID MG_1377

The following morning I arrived early.  Too early in fact as the stars were still shining.

Night at Ham Wall – Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_2388

But the dawn colours were stunning.

Ham Wall before Sunrise – Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_2396

Just before dawn the starlings began to move around the reed bed.

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_2459

Before eventually filling the sky to spread out across the Somerset countryside.

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_2466

It was some of the best morning colours I have ever seen at Ham Wall.

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_2665

Not long after an even bigger flock of starlings appeared above Loxtons Marsh.

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_2631

It was all over too quickly, as the last few birds left the reserve.

Last few starlings leave the roost – Ham Wall, UK. ID JB_2798

Driving home I came across these starlings re-grouping on Tealham Moor.

Starlings – Tealham Moor, Somerset Levels, UK. ID JB_3152

And finally…

This marsh harrier decided to have a go at a huge mute swan.

Marsh Harrier vs Swan – Ham Wall, Somerset Levels, UK. ID MG_1579