Starling Trail

Robin - Ham Wall, Avalon Marshes, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9861

Robin – Ham Wall, Avalon Marshes, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9861

The car park at RSPB Ham Wall overflows on every one the few sunny days we have had recently.  I’m not surprised as many people love the starlings murmurations.  But I suspect those visitors also full in love the many little robins.  They are super friendly and seem to everywhere across the reserve.

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2793

Starlings returning to Waltons Heath – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_2793

Of course we also enjoy the flocks of starlings flying through a beautiful sunset.

Marsh Harrier - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6600

Marsh Harrier – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6600

For the more hardcore birders it is sight of a marsh harrier that turns the binoculars and cameras.

Marsh Harrier - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9654

Marsh Harrier – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9654

The Tor View hide offers the perfect spot to watch the harriers.

Gadwalls - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_8979

Gadwalls – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_8979

I do not have a super telephoto lens to capture close-ups of harriers.  But they are wonderful to watch.

Marsh Harrier - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9125

Marsh Harrier – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9125 (a lot of cropping!)

This marsh harrier dived down to the water amongst the ducks and coots.

Marsh Harrier - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9137

Marsh Harrier – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9137

And flew off with a bird in its grasp.

Marsh Harrier - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9654

Marsh Harrier – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9654

It was not until I got home that I realised just before hand it had just been fighting a crow for what looked like a dead starling.  The starling fell and the harrier swooped down to steel it.

Marsh Harrier - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9116

Marsh Harrier – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9116

Did I mention the robins are very friendly?

Robin - Ham Wall, Avalon Marshes, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9845

Robin – Ham Wall, Avalon Marshes, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9845

Many people miss out on watching the starlings in the morning.  When they lift out of the reeds to spread out across the countryside.

Starlings at Dawn - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6363

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6363

Just before dawn, hugh numbers of starlings fill the sky towards Glastonbury Tor.

Starlings at Dawn - Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6447

Starlings at Dawn – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6447

And finally…

Even robins throw-up sometimes.

Robin - Ham Wall, Avalon Marshes, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9854

Robin – Ham Wall, Avalon Marshes, Somerset, UK. ID IMG_9854

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