Starling Trail
The last few mornings I have watched the starlings from the Tor View hide in RSPB Ham Wall. Each morning the birds have flown up from Waltons East reed bed over the hide and dropped into Waltons West before lifting off again and flying into the surrounding countryside.
Today it was time to go to far end of Waltons West and watch the second set of waves take-offs. I watched from the willow screen looking back towards the hide where I had been for the last three days.
Unexpected Sunrise
To my surprise the morning started with a blood red sky. I probably should have gone to the hide again as I am sure the view would be better from there.
A small flock of gulls passes by Glastonbury Tor.
The First Wave
The birds have left Waltons East, flown over the Tor View hide and dropped into Waltons West.
The starlings turn the reeds black then suddenly lift into the air. The rush of their wings signals the drama.
The Second Wave
The starlings leave in waves. Each group containing hundreds of thousands of birds.
Each wave fills the sky with birds.
The Third Wave
The Fourth Wave
I ran around to corner of the reserve to watch the starlings fly in front of Glastonbury Tor. The morning colour is still beautiful.
And Finally
A big surprise, for the third time this week I saw an otter. This one was swimming directly towards me but without a telephoto lens this was as close as I could get.