Starling Trail

A couple of days ago, before a storm came in, most of the starlings had chosen Loxtons Marsh as their roost site.  Today I returned to RSPB Ham Wall and headed back to marsh in hope of watching the birds returning.

However, this evening turned into a masterclass of how to be in the wrong place as thousands of birds flew over my head not one dropping down into Loxtons.  Looking back towards Waltons Heath I could see a small group roosting next to the viewing platform which was good news for most of the visitors.

The majority of birds had headed off the far end of Ham Wall.  Talking with friends earlier I knew that roost was building in numbers but I had persisted with my return visits to Waltons and Loxtons.  I just got lazy.

Thousand of starlings fly overhead – Loxtons, Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 809_8826

Loxtons Marsh
The birds had been using Loxtons for months.  Back in the autumn they put on some great displays.

Starlings at Loxtons Marsh – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 808_2556

Back then the Loxtons reeds stood tall and proud in the evening autumn light.

Ham Wall – Somerset, UK. ID 808_3372

Today and after months of starling abuse the reeds have been crushed.  This is the same view a few months laters.  You can now see each of the separate lines of reed bed that were hidden back in the autumn.

Loxtons after the starlings – Ham Wall, Somerset, UK. ID 809_8774

Loxtons has suffered under the weight of the starlings and probably several tonnes of droppings.  The place has smelt better!  If the birds have moved on then I’m sure the RSPB will do a great job in recovering the site.