Starlings...... Murmuration

[Wildge]

Anyone have any favourite viewing spots.......that don't involve 3 mile hikes?
Realise it's a bit early yet but like to plan

 

[DiggerJon]

The Somerset levels in January/February - I've been three times now and been lucky on one where millions of starlings whirled into a vortex and appeared to get sucked into the ground - magic! And this was after the amazing flocks' assembly and flight dances in the gathering dusk.

 

[Wildge]

Were you in the motorhome ? if so where did you park up.
Have been down there but were in a friends car.......... and the parking at that particular spot was very busy.
Would live to find somewhere within walking distance.

 

[trekkin]

This seems to come up in the local news every year, and not too far away, no guarantees though I suppose

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6339877.stm

Adrian

 

[Wildge]

Thanks for the link.....................nature at it's best
Best watched full screen


www.youtube.com/watch?v=eakKfY5aHmY

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[Wildge]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctMty7av0jc

 

[MikeD]

We used to get thousands and thousands of starlings every autumn in the estate I live in. Last few years hardly any

Where have they all gone?

 

[Wildge]

I think the numbers have decreased over the past 30 years or so . They are now protected, and listed as a conservation concern?
Have not heard a mobile phone tune for years

 

[keith]

Gretna. on the English Scottish border, seen them on a few occaisions

 

[Bertie Bassett]

Just north of the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge there are reed beds which attract spectacular flocks throughout the winter. Numbers have halved since the eighties though. A local uni has just started a survey into the decline of the Starling and hope to come up with some answers so that they may be protected.

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[Wildge]

Just north of the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge there are reed beds which attract spectacular flocks throughout the winter. Numbers have halved since the eighties though. A local uni has just started a survey into the decline of the Starling and hope to come up with some answers so that they may be protected.

Can you actually view them at dusk if you walk along the canal or is it too far from there?

 

[Bertie Bassett]

Can you actually view them at dusk if you walk along the canal or is it too far from there?

In the past we have watched them from some high ground which overlooks the reed beds. Don't have a sat nav or a detailed map so my apologies for being unable to give you a specific location. Wait out for a bit though and I'll look on OS maps online.

 

[Bertie Bassett]

Just had a quick reminder look and Frampton-on- Severn and St Mary's Church ring a number of bells with the canal a good route to the reed beds as you suggested.

 

[Wildge]

Thanks for that will put on the list for somewhere to go this winter.
I just find them truly mesmerising.
Even better put to music...... fascinating to see the ? falcon/sparrow hawk in amongst them.
Jude

 

[CWH]

From the mainland side of the causeway out to Lindisfarne. Not a HUGE flock but still great fun to watch coming down to roost.

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[Bertie Bassett]

Thanks for that will put on the list for somewhere to go this winter.
I just find them truly mesmerising.
Even better put to music...... fascinating to see the ? falcon/sparrow hawk in amongst them.
Jude

The local Peregrine hangs about on a large buoy out in the estuary where the gas barge that blew the old railway bridge up foundered. When she gets in amongst them the flight becomes frenetic. She's successful about twice in five stoops on those occasions we've been privileged to witness the hunt. Will definitely go back this winter too to have a look, and thanks for getting our last remaining old grey cell working. We had nearly forgotten this wonderful place ourselves.