I've been in two minds this time about posting my photos here, because they're technically poor! I knew that the whole trip would test my energy levels to the limit, so I only took a small, lightweight compact camera. We're in the darkest time of the year, close to the winter solstice, and the weather was darkly overcast and raining a lot of the time . . . and the main event happens at dusk . . . so I was trying to take photos of small birds, moving fast, in poor and failing light, with a small-sensor camera and only moderate zoom!
These spectacular starling displays only happen in the dark time of the year, when large flocks of starlings from the north of the European landmass migrate here to overwinter. To get good photos of these events you need clear skies and expensive professional equipment . . . but there's a story to tell here, so I've decided to post these grainy poor-quality images.
First, a variety of daytime images (though still in poor light) from wetland reserves around the Levels.
A mixed flock of starlings, lapwings and plovers, harried from their feeding into the air by predators - we often saw marsh harriers and peregrines. If you look below the higher flock, centrally downwards towards the smaller flock just rising, you will see a lone bird above that flock - predator. Also, below the upper flock, and over to the right - another predator.
Two of this year's cygnets, still with their mother, watching her feeding behaviour:
A flock of grazing lapwings (and a few gulls) suddenly flushed into the air by a marsh harrier. As they turn the weak sun flashes on the white patches of their plumage.
Glastonbury Tor in the background - on a clear day it would have been a wonderful view! Mixed flocks of ducks, one taking off, lapwing standing facing into the wind in the foreground.
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