Starling Trail
So far this has been a strange Starling season at RSPB Ham Wall. The birds have not moved away from Walton Heath or Loxtons Marsh. This has been great news for the thousands of visitors as the birds regular habits make them easy to find – all only a short walk from the car park.
The Landing
Today followed the pattern that has become typical this season. Huge pre-formed flocks of birds arrived and drop down into the west side of Walton Heath. Arriving in these mega-flocks there is little point in the birds putting on much of a display. Instead they immediately dropped down into the same small patch of reeds they have been using for weeks.
Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_4858
Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_4874
Taxiing to Loxtons
After landing the black mass of birds spread eastwards towards the Tor View hide. As they ran out of reeds the birds lifted into the air and flew across to new beds in Waltons East or over the tree line into Loxtons Marsh.
With the roar of their wings, and a wow from the crowds, the birds lifted out of the reed bed.
Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_5084
A seemingly endless stream of birds left Waltons West.
Starlings at Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 809_5100
