Starling Trail

After the storm a string of starlings meanders back to the roost.

Starlings Flock – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0887

Storm Doris

After a devastating day when Storm Doris hit the UK and there was little hope of a starling display.  The starlings needed the safety of their roost more than ever and so I knew they would return.  I dropped in at Shapwick Heath on my way home from work.

The first birds arrived as the skies were clearing.  A brief period of bright blue sky before the evening drew in the clouds.

Starlings Flock – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0122

The starlings arrived hugging the tree lines and kept going passed Shapwick Heath onto Shapwick Moor.

Starlings Flock – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0302

Large numbers of birds settled in the surrounding trees.

Starlings Flock – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0534

The birds often gather on the moor so I waited for them to return.    On form a large group returned from the neighbouring fields and dropped down into the reeds on the heath.

Starlings Flock – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0425

The Returned

A series of huge flocks followed to the gasps of the few visitors around me.

Starlings Flock – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0580

Starlings Flock – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0582

Starlings Flock – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0585

The Roost Site

The birds roosted in the reeds next to the path that goes to the Decoy Hide.  In the background is Glastonbury Tor.

Starlings Flock – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID 809_0713