Starling Trail

Sunrise over the lagoon - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5088

Sunrise over the lagoon – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5088

It has been a while but the starlings are back roosting at RSPB Ham Wall.  I missed several opportunities in November, but eventually some good weather aligned with my time off from my day job.  And, it has been a beautiful few days.  Wonderfull colours in the sky and five hundred thousand birds.

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5326

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5326

The best vantage points are where the starlings arrive between you and the sunset.

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5504

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5504

It does not always go to plan, and often the birds descend into the reeds through a dull sky.

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5768

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5768

Of course, there are plenty of distractions to watch such as the dancing marsh harriers.

Marsh Harrier - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_0749

Marsh Harrier – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_0749

But the starlings are the star of the show.

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2844

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2844

The birds rarely make the murmuration patterns we all hope to see.

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3878

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_3878

The dawn at Ham Wall can be glorious.  Sitting in a hide waiting for the sun to rise and the starlings to lift out of the reeds.

View from the Tor Hide - Waltons Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4468

View from the Tor Hide – Waltons Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4468

We have had some amazing morning colours.

Red sky at dawn - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5012

Red sky at dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_5012

Shoveler ducks provided the entertainment during a cold morning’s wait.

Shoveller at dawn - Waltons Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_1091

Shoveller at dawn – Waltons Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_1091

The starlings gather in one spot ready to leave the reserve for the day.  In real life it looks much darker than it looks in the pictures.

Starlings gathering in the reeds - Waltons Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4733

Starlings gathering in the reeds – Waltons Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_4733

Suddenly, the birds explode in to the air.

Starlings leave Ham Wall - Somerset, UK. ID JB_4758

Starlings leave Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID JB_4758

Flocks pour out of the reserve across the red skies.

Starlings in a red sky - Waltons Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_48201

Starlings in a red sky – Waltons Heath, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_48201

And finally…

There are usually large crowds at Ham Wall in the evening. Not surprisingly many visitors are excited to see a marsh harrier.  But to me the best time to watch them is in the morning when they dance in the sky focusing down into the reeds.

This picture is a composite of four photographs of a marsh harrier dancing in front of the sunrise from the Tor View hide.

Marsh Harrier - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_1204

Marsh Harrier – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_1204

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