On the Avalon marshes during the winter months each evening starts with the arrival of small groups of Starlings. These build in number eventually forming huge flocks containing over a million birds. After 20 minutes it is all over and the birds roost tightly together amongst the reeds. At dawn the birds rise in a series of explosive waves that fill the sky as they spread out across Somerset for the day.
The rest is work in progress… hope to finish this soon!
The Avalon Marshes
[MAP]
The marshes are managed by the RSPB, Natural England and Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT). They provide essential information to help plan your visit.
[LINKS]
The RSPB also provide a telephone hotline [NUMBER]. Up to date information is provided by RSPB at the Ham Wall car park. They also provide excellent Starling Talks at the reserve about 1/2 hour before the birds are expected arrive.
Natural England display a map in their window which shows the location at which the birds roosted the previous day.
Also try [FOXY BIDDY].
Arriving by Car
Keep your car on the road! The roads over the levels are very lumpy. The lumps change from year to year as the peat on which the road were loads swells and shrinks with the seasons. The ditches on either side of the road could easily consume your car!
