Starling Trail

Starling Race – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID JB4_9504.

My son and I had went to see the Starlings roost at Shapwick Heath.  This is something we have done for several years.  I remember standing in Westhay on cold winter’s days at minus 7 Celius watching millions of Starlings.  We would often be alone.  Sometimes a few other regulars would nod to say hello.

How times have changed.  Yesterday we stood on the bridge on the way to the Meare Hide – to our left was a line of people, tripods and cameras stretching out to infinity and beyond.  To our right, the same.  Thats 2 times infinity plus 2, and beyond.

It is great that so may people share the same interest.  The work the RSPB, Natural England and the Somerset Wildlife Trust do also fantastic.  But the sense of wilderness we once enjoyed has gone – and where does everyone park their car?

We returned the next morning to enjoy a more private viewing.  Infinitely better!

Starling Dawn – Shapwick Heath, Somerset, UK. ID JB4_9554.