Shapwick Heath 2013

In early December 2013 a good friend, who also happens to be a profesional wildlife photographer, came over to visit with the plan to photograph the starling murmurations over the nearby Somerset levels. The RSPB has a 'Starling Hotline' which let you know where the starlings were currently roosting across the three favoured sites (Ham Wall, Shapwick Heath and West Hay Moor). This time the starlings were roosting at Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, a 500 hectares site of mixed peatland and reed beds. The first evening was a bit disappointing with the starlings arriving in small flocks and settling almost straight away, with no real display of the murmurations.

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, Somerset, UK

The following day we went earlier and got some great shots of a female kingfisher from one of the hides on the reserve. She flew past several time before landing on the reeds a few feet in front of the hide.

Incoming rain storm and rainbowShapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, Somerset, UK

The day was fairly cold, with rain showers on and off. At one point we could see the rain coming in across the reserve, with a fantastic rainbow in front.

Starling murmurationShapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, Somerset, UK

Towards the evening  it turned colder, dried out and the sky became clear. This proved to be much better for the starlings, the first few thousand starlings flew in and didn't settle straight away. Instead they started dancing and provided a great opportunity for some shots. Thousands more flew in over about 20 minutes.

Sunset over ShapwickShapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, Somerset, UK

At the end we were greated with a fantastic sunset as well.

~Matt~