Trip reports

Field trip to Starling Roost

Sunday, 30 November 2008

On checking, the website for the reserve at Westhay disclosed a starling helpline phone number This told us that the starlings were no longer at Westhay but were bedding down for the night at the nearby RSPB Reserve at Ham Wall
A recce. visit the previous Sunday had shown that the reed beds were quite dense with little open water and that the opportunities for birdwatching were quite limited.
Come Sunday the 30th, the venue was changed to Ham Wall and our bus deposited us at Ashcott Corner, the car park for Shapwick Heath/Ham Wall. The day was dry, cold and grey, making colours difficult to see, but it brightened up later. A wide variety of birds were seen but regrettably not a bittern despite getting cold feet sitting in a hide waiting for it or them (two have been seen) to turn up.
Birds seen included siskin, redpoll, chaffinch, goldcrest and long tailed tits amongst the alders. On the open water were lots of gadwall and coot along with teal, pochard, tufted, shoveller, golden eye and widgeon amongst the ducks. Goldfinch were constantly flying overhead and a kingfisher was seen. Water rail was heard.
In the afternoon we crossed the road to Ham Wall, the recommended viewpoint for the starling roost. A few small flocks of lapwing flew over, enough to keep us interested and when enough birdwatchers had congregated the starlings decided to grace us with their presence. They arrived in countless numbers and coalesced into a large flock of birds over the farm north east of us. They turned and wheeled like some airborne amoeba. As the gloom deepened so more birds kept coming adding to the size of the spectacle. They settled down into the reeds turning the base of the plants black with their bodies. Certainly they didn't swirl over us - thankfully because we hadn't got umbrellas - but the sight of these countless birds was amazing.
This was our last coach trip of 2008 and everyone enjoyed it. Watch this website for our future activities.