The Somerset Starling Spectacular!

I hope you all enjoy my updates!

Tuesday 02nd March 2010

The Somerset Starling roost is probably displaying it's highest numbers at the moment, but not for much longer.  A change in the weather for the better will see the migratory birds return to their native Northern Europe, while our local birds will start nesting. So now is the time to see them, before they disperse once again!
This evening I stood in the screen hide near to Noah's Hide at Shapwick Heath to watch them ....... it was difficult to establish exactly where they were settling from this location, but despite this, I still enjoyed a great view of them, with Glastonbury Tor in the background. Anywhere along the track would probably have given good views, and, I suspect that there were more settling on Ham Wall, from what I could see.

Pictures below taken on Tuesday 02nd March 2010





Monday 01st March 2010

I had to try and make it over to the Heath to catch up on the Somerset Starling Roost before they all disperse for nesting, and of course before all the migrant birds return to their home land. What, with my daughter's wedding taking place next Monday, working part time, and also all of the shops wanting replenishing with my cards, prints etc, I have had a VERY busy month or so. Apologies for the lack of updates, but sometimes I have to give priority to other things, such as family!
Well, I headed out to Shapwick/Ham Wall, unsure as to where the starlings would be, as they have been very unsettled lately.
I had been watching a great crested grebe a few days ago on Ham Wall, so decided to go there, where I could maybe catch both the grebe and the starlings if I were lucky!
Well, I was lucky ....the grebe was there.  Also, a marsh harrier graced the air above the reed bed, unfortunately, it was silhouetted as I was facing into the sun.  The starlings headed for Shapwick Heath, but as they were in great numbers, I was able to see clouds of them swirling about in the distance.

Pictures below taken Monday 01st March 2010






Great Crested Grebe with fish (taken last week)



Tuesday 09th February 2010

The starlings were roosting at Ham Wall this evening.
 It seems that the roost are flitting from one reed bed to another, but  good views to be had from both the viewing platforms, and plenty of birds to see. No spectacular displays this evening, but nevertheless, good visibility as always on a cold clear night.

Pictures below taken on Tuesday 09th February 2010





Friday 05th February 2010

Apologies for the huge gap between my last starling updates.
Unfortunately, I have had SO many other commitments, not to mention car problems etc,
During this period, I can confirm that our feathered friends have done a lot of flitting about from one part of the reserve to another.
This evening, I accompanied a group of pupils and teachers from the school where I work on a trip to see the starlings.
And I am able to confirm that this evening they are once again back at the Ham Wall part of the reserve, the second viewing platform being the beat place from which to watch them.
Sorry, no pictures this evening, as I did not take my camera with me today!

Tuesday 19th January 2010

This evening the favoured roost for the Somerset Starlings was the RSPB Ham Wall Reserve.
Best viewing spot this evening was the second observation platform on the left, as you walk from the car park at Ashcott Corner.
This is the car park that serves both Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath reserves.

Pictures below all taken on Tuesday 19th January 2010






Sunday 17th January 2010

After a combination of obstacles including weather, car problems and other commitments, at last I was able to get out, but, at sunrise, rather than sunset.
 I took a guess ..... from previous experience over the last month I knew that the main roost was more than likely to be either at Shapwick Heath or Ham Wall. I opted for Ham Wall, and was just approaching the first viewing platform when the beautiful
pastel-shaded skies were filled with flocks of starlings heading away from their roost. Unfortunately i had other commitments later in the day, so was unable to return to confirm that they had returned to the same roosting place as the day before, but at a guess, it is probable that they either returned here, or maybe Shapwick Heath, just a short distance in the opposite direction.

Other species of interest seen today: bittern, blackcap, stonechat, cormorant

Pictures below all taken at sunrise on Sunday 17th January 2010



Monday 04th January 2010

Preferred roost this evening: Shapwick Heath.

The Somerset Starling Roost are very unsettled at the moment, flitting from Ham Wall to Shapwick Heath regularly.  This evening I went along to Ham Wall, as this is where they were the day before, but I definitely picked the wrong option!  This was obvious to spot, as masses of them passed on  from all directions towards Shapwick Heath!  So, my suggestion is this: hang around near the car park until you see the first few flocks arriving above, then watch to see where the go, and hopefully the rest will follow!
Having said that, sometimes the earlier flocks change their minds and move on after a few minutes!
No pictures this evening, as the flocks all headed off to Shapwick, and I was stood at Ham Wall!

Saturday 02nd January 2010

Prefered roost this evening: Ham Wall

After many other commitments over the last few weeks, I have eventually managed to find the time to check out the "Somerset Starling Spectacular" once again!  I know that the roost have been swapping and changing between Shapwick Heath and Ham Wall, with Ham Wall being there choice yesterday evening also.  At first I was a little concerned as the first few flocks I witnessed passed on over towards Shapwick Heath, but soon, the skies were full of the little darlings; in fact, so close to where I was, I was unable to get any great "distance" shots of the massive flocks.
The numbers are massive now, In fact, I think we are probably enjoying a full capacity at the moment!  As usual, the starlings will arrive to their roost at dusk, (about 16.00hrs at the moment, but this will change gradually as the evenings draw out once again).

Car parking at the Ashcott Corner car park, (Shapwick Heat ) is limited, so always try to car-share. Also, please consider the local residents (yes ... some lucky people DO live out here!) when parking along the road. NO DOGS are allowed on Shapwick Heath; they are allowed on Ham Wall, but should be on leads. Please make sure any children are well-supervised .... there are many deep pools of water on both reserves, all iced up at the moment, making them even more attractive to the kids!

Pictures below all taken on Saturday 02nd January 2010

Saturday 19th December 2009

The Somerset Starling Spectacular continues ..... although the little darlings are slowly progressing down the Ham Wall RSPB reserve!  The 2nd viewing platform  on the left, down the track at Ham Wall is probably  the best option for observing at the moment, but as we all know, there are no rules with nature, and the roost could change once again overnight!  Numbers are high, with huge performing formations this evening ..... on inspection of the pictures I have taken, this is due to the presence of raptors, that can be spotted high above the flocks on most of the pictures.

Pictures below all taken Saturday 19th December 2009






Thursday 10th December 2009

A very brief update just to let you know that the Somerset Starling Roost is descending once again at Ham Wall RSPB Reserve.
Unfortunately I have no pictures, but I can tell you that the numbers are high .... I am just coming to the end of a very busy period, hopefully after this week I will be able to resume updates on a more regular basis once again.

Monday 30th November 2009

At last I have both good weather AND some spare time in which to take a trip over to Shapwick Heath to see the Somerset Starling Spectacular!  The car park was full, as is to be expected on a clear evening such as today, so parking was difficult.
 If you are making a long journey, be sure to get to the Ashcott Rd car park at least an hour before dusk: this will give you a better chance of getting a parking space in the car park. The starlings will start to fly in just before dusk, but this varies according to the weather/visibility/etc.
A member of the RSPB team from the Ham Wall nature reserve was set up in the car park with information, etc. I believe that this will be the case for several weeks, so this will help with directions when you arrive, as the Roost has been changing location regularly just lately, going from Ham Wall to Shapwick Heath. These two reserves are alongside each other, with the Ashcott Rd cutting between them, so it is more or less one of the same place.  However, the reserves do cover quite an area, with reed bed expanses either side that the starlings can swap and change to roost in from one evening to the next. So be prepared to make a mad dash from one reserve to the other on some occasions!
This evening they were settling at Ham Wall, but were splintering into several groups for roosting. There were good numbers, but should still increase again as the weather in Northern Europe gets colder, and the migratory birds from there join us.

Pictures below all taken Monday 30th November 2009










Thursday 26th November 2009

As I have been busy with other commitments over the last week I have been unable to venture over to Shapwick Heath to see the Somerset Starling Spectacular. However, I have reliable information that yesterday evening they were roosting in exactly the same place as stated in the report below (Friday 20th November), so anyone wishing to visit can use the information below.

Friday 20th November 2009

The Somerset Starling Spectacular is well under way, with (probably) millions of starlings arriving at Shapwick Heath this evening.
With a reasonably clear sky, the little darlings arrived in flocks of varied sizes, and what is best described  as  "ribbons", trailing through the sky.  Their chosen spot is once again the reed bed to the right of the track, between the bridge over to the Meare Hide, and the car park at Ashcott Corner, which is off the Ashcott Road as you arrive from the direction of the village of Meare.

Pictures below all taken on Friday 20th November 2009




17th November 2009

In a nutshell ..... this evening the majority of the starlings appeared to pass over Ham Wall, on route to Shapwick Heath, with the exception of a few that did descend onto the reed bed near to the first viewing platform on Ham Wall. Whereabouts on Shapwick Heath they went, I do not know, as I was on the Ham Wall RSPB reserve at the time.  It's possible they went to the usual spot, but there is also a chance that they have moved to another location within the Shapwick Heath reserve.

No pics at the moment ( a bit tied up with other commitments ), but will hopefully have a small selection here tomorrow.

Thursday 12th November 2009

Apologies for the lack of updates over the last week.
 Unfortunately other commitments have kept me extremely busy all week, and will continue to do so until next week.  However, in my absence from the Starling Watch, I have been informed by a very reliable source (RSPB warden), that the starlings are still roosting at Ham Wall, and are highly visible from both the viewing platforms on the Ham Wall RSPB reserve here in Somerset.
Unfortunately we cannot account for the awful weather we are encountering at the moment, and, if you are anticipating making a lengthy journey to come and see them, I would strongly advise you to think about re-scheduling your trip. During windy wet weather, visibility is not great, and the starlings tend to fly in very low in these conditions, therefore you may be disappointed. It would be best to wait for a clear cold spell; it is most often in these conditions that the starlings will perform their ritualistic dance, and in clear conditions, the flocks can be seen from a much greater distance as they approach, making the experience much more exiting.

Friday 06th November 2009

Not the best day for starling watching; very grey, moody skies that looked as if they were going to open.  But luckily it remained reasonably dry, give or take the odd spit and spot, ( that is, until I begun my walk back to the car, when it decided to pour down!)
Otherwise, a fruitful event, with lots of the little darlings arriving through the cloudy skies, and zooming down onto the reed bed.
Viewed once again from the first viewing platform at Ham Wall RSPB Nature Reserve, which is situated alongside Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve, here in Somerset.
While awaiting the arrival of the starlings, a marsh harrier graced the skies flying low across the reed bed, then rising up among the starlings as they flew in ( see pictures below).

Pictures below all taken on Friday 06th November 2009














Tuesday 03rd November 2009

Well, I just managed to pop out briefly this evening between showers, just arriving at the first observation platform at Ham Wall in time to see the last flocks of starlings descending onto the reed beds on both sides of the track.  The ones descending into the right hand side, opposite to the viewing platform were, in fact, quite nearby, and the noise of the birds could be heard quite clearly.
So, Ham Wall is still the place to see the starlings, although I still suspect that there is a split roost, with some still favouring Shapwick Heath, just a small distance away on the opposite side of the road.

Unfortunately there are no pictures this evening, as I arrived a little too late!

Thursday 29th October 2009

Best viewing for the Starling Spectacular at the moment is probably Ham Wall RSPB Reserve, with masses of the little darlings descending there this evening. However, it is more than possible that the roost is split, and, if this is the case, then you are more than likely to see another show of birds at Shapwick Heath, although this is unconfirmed.

Pictures below taken on Thursday 29th October 2009

Buzzard spooking the starlings!





Tuesday 27th October 2009

Ham Wall RSPB reserve is, at the moment, the favoured roosting place for the Somerset Starling Spectacular, although it is possible that the roost is still split, and  some could also be roosting on Shapwick Heath.  Both the viewing platforms at Ham Wall will be a good place from which to see the birds..... they are roosting towards the back of the reserve, looking out from the viewing platforms, so it is a good idea to take binoculars.

Pictures below taken on Tuesday 27th October 2009







Sunday 25th October 2009

This evening, I saw large flocks of starlings descending onto Ham Wall RSPB Nature Reserve, so this has confirmed my suspicions of a split roost; that is, of course, unless they all came to Ham Wall and skipped Shapwick Heath in my absence!
As Ham Wall and Shapwick Heath is one of the same place, divided by the road, it takes little time to change location on the wing; however, it is a little more difficult for  us human spectators to change our location quite so speedily, although, I have to say that I, and many others have managed to do this over the last few years!
So, my best advice is to park up in the car park at Ashcott Corner (this car park serves both nature reserves), and keep your eyes peeled on the skies above! Car parking is limited, so do try to "car share" whenever possible, so the road does not become too congested.

Pictures below all taken on Sunday 25th October 2009




Kestrel hovering above the reed bed at Ham Wall


Thursday 22nd October 2009

Similar situation to Monday: the starlings are still choosing the same spot on Shapwick Heath, although I have my suspicions that some of them may be settling over the road at the Ham Wall RSPB reserve. Without going over there to investigate, this is a wild guess, and, unfortunately I cannot be in two places at once!  No spectacular displays, they arejust flying in and descending straight  down into the reed bed.
Other species seen this evening: Lapwing, Canada Geese, Great White Eagret, plus many other wildfowl.

Pictures below taken on Thursday 22nd October 2009


Canada Geese

Lapwing



Monday 19th October 2009

YES!  we have the beginning of the Somerset Starling Spectacular!
Lots of large flocks arriving at Shapwick Heath. A little bit of a display this evening, but I think this was more due to the presence of raptors, rather than the aeronautical displays that we will hopefully get later on.
To view, just walk up the track from the Ashcott Rd car park and stand about half way between  the beginning of the track, and the bridge over to Meare Heath Hide. Looking out over to the right, accross the scrape (where the waders can be seen) is where the starlings have been roosting. But, as always, be warned ..... there are no rules with nature, and they could change the roost overnight, as has happened before!

Pictures below all taken Monday 19th October 2009



Lapwings disturbed by a large flock of starlings!



Friday 16th October 2009

Shapwick Heath, same as the previous night, numbers gradually increasing. For location, see previous reports listed below.

Picture taken Friday 16th October 2009



Wednesday 14th October 2009

What a difference a day makes ...... a TENFOLD increase in this evening's starling roost, with larger flocks, and more of them.
Same location as today to begin with, (see yesterday's report below),  but many of the flocks drifted away across the reed bed towards Ham Wall. It is very difficult to estimate exactly where these flocks would have ended up, but some did seem to drift back over towards Shapwick Heath again. Nevertheless, standing along the main track at Shapwick Heath seems to be a good location to see the first arrivals, and to establish in which direction the roost will go.
Other species seen this evening: GREAT WHITE EGRET and GLOSSY IBIS, MARSH HARRIER, plus the usual selection of waders.

Pictures below taken Wednesday 14th October 2009







Tuesday 13th October 2009

A slight increase in the numbers is now noticeable, but still a long way from being the "Starling Spectacular".
The preferred roost is once again Shapwick Heath, visible from the main track up the heath from the car park at Ashcott Corner. looking out across the reed bed to the right as you walk up the track. A good viewing spot is looking out over "The Scrape", which is the area that has been drained to encourage the waders such as lapwing, which provide  further entertainment for spectators while awaiting the starling roost. This evening we were also blessed with a glossy ibis, which flew over silhouetted against the evening sky, ( see picture below)

Pictures below taken Tuesday 13th October 2009


Below: Glossy Ibis, Shapwick Heath

Thursday 08th October 2009

A beautiful sunset this evening, also large flocks of lapwing, and a barn owl: but no Starling Specacular  yet ..... just a few thousand or so arriving at Shapwick Heath in flocks of a hundred or so, visible from the main track looking out towards Meare Heath Hide. For anyone thinking of making a specific journey ....DON'T! You will be disappointed. 

Be patient, the size and amount of flocks will steadily increase week by week.

Pictures below all taken Thursday 08th October 2009

Tuesday 29th September 2009

As the hits on my "Starling Spectacular" page  have been steadily increasing over the last few days, I thought I would pop over to Shapwick Heath in the evening just to check on the "starling" situation. There are a few small flocks gathering but nothing  to get exited about.  At a guess i would say there were maybe a thousand birds in all, but these are arriving in very small flocks of about 50 to 200, therefore, as yet, not spectacular, and definitely not worth making a special journey to see especially if you are travelling any distance.
While watching the few that were there, I was blessed with the sudden appearance of a large bird of prey .... probably a marsh harrier, which swooped and dived into a small flock of starlings, causing havoc! ( see below!)

below ...VERY BAD picture of a marsh harrier (?) amid starlings, taken Tuesday 29th September 2009




I know that many of you are now logging on to see if the Starling Spectacular has begun. Well, the answer at the moment is NO!
But, keep watching this space, as now that the weather is changing, they will soon start their annual ritual.
In the meantime, you can see what I have been up to the rest of the year by browsing the web-site.