Somerset Starling Spectacular

Once again the Somerset Starling Spectacular is upon us, although not in full glory at the moment.
If you are looking for updates on where and when to witness this fantastic free show, this is the place to find that information.
 Forget about the BBC .... last year they got it wrong .... THEY SHOULD HAVE CHECKED WITH FOXYBIDDY!
I encourage feedback, please feel free to contact me!

ENJOY!

Sunday 12th October 2008

As suggested yesterday, I did indeed take a trip to Shapwick Heath this evening, only to find my suspicions of the roost descending in more than one place confirmed.  Many small flocks were descending to the right, onto the reed bed as you walk up the main track from the car park at Ashcott Corner. Still a long way to go before it can be referred to as "Spectacular", but the numbers are steadily increasing.  The little darlings were descending quite some time before dusk, and at one time were pursued by a bird of prey, although It was too far away to identify. (See very poor picture below!)

Pictures below taken on Sunday 12th October 2008





Saturday 11th October 2008

Same place as yesterday; quite a bit of activity on the overhead cables, and in the mowed fields, but I got the impression that there were fewer than the day before, so the possibility of a split roost springs to mind. Perhaps the next trip may be to Shapwick Heath, to see if there is activity there also.

Pictures below taken Saturday 11th October 2008





Friday 10th October 2008

Well, what a difference a day makes! 
At last the Starling Spectacular is commencing. At an estimate, I would say at least a couple of thousand were visible this evening, making a grand comeback.  Visible from the main road from Glastonbury to Meare, the little darlings were flocking to the right of the road on the telegraph wires to the far side of the river, and also to the left of the road in the fields that have recently been mowed. Flocks joined from all directions, eventually soaring off towards the reed beds of Ham Wall RSPB Nature Reserve. Although I did not witness this from there, I would guess that the flocks would be most visible from the viewing platforms on the Ham Wall Reserve, when flying in to roost.

Pictures below taken Friday 10th October 2008






Wednesday 08th October 2008

After many miserable days of bad weather, this evening was at last clear.
Off to Shapwick Heath/Ham Wall I ventured,
Anyone who is thinking of making a long journey here to see the starlings, my advice is: don't bother at the moment.
There are very few to be seen,  just a few flocks of about 50 to 100 birds, that vanish into nowhere!

Picture below taken last week at sunset, from Noah's Hide, Shapwick Heath


Saturday 27th September 2008

Having ventured over to Shapwick Heath and Westhay over the last week, I can report that I have seen very few starlings: the ones that I have seen were lined up on the telegraph wires on the road through to Meare from Glastonbury. This evening is much colder, probably an indication that there should be a little more "starling" activity over the next few weeks.

Picture below taken early morning, Saturday 27th September  at Ham Wall RSPB
Reserve Somerset.... Spot the bird!
not much to be seen today, apart from lots of mist!


Monday 8th September 2008   

I know that I have  had several people logging on already, to see if the Starling Spectacular updates have begun.
Unfortunately, up until now, the weather has prevented me from venturing out to the Somerset Levels to see if there is any starling activity to speak of. and, of course, when it is raining, they fly in so low you can bearly see them.  I did manage to get out to Shapwick Heath  for the last hour before dusk this evening (, but I cannot give any significant sightings of starling flocks; in fact, this evening I never even spotted one!

This time last year, there were small flocks gathering and flying in to Shapwick Heath, but none tonight.

Keep logging on, as I am hoping that this awful weather will soon change into some crisp, cool weather, the sort that is ideal for starling spotting!