Starling Trail

For me, today was an unexpected opportunity to go to RSPB Ham Wall.  I returned to the far end of Waltons Heath to watch the starlings fly passed Glastonbury Tor.

Starlings leave Waltons East – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0578

The birds pass in waves across the water.

Starlings leave Waltons East – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0580

This time of year the flocks are huge.

Starlings leave Waltons East – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0614

Even in this remote corner of Ham Wall I was not alone.

Starlings leave Waltons East – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0640

This morning there were about 100 people watching the starlings.  This number easily spreads out and disappears across the reserve.  In the evenings thousands of people visit during the starling season: they learn about this environment; they learn about the starlings life; and they learn how things are changing.  This connects people with the world around them.  As long as we are not frustrating or scaring the birds then are there any negatives?