Starlings swarming over Shapwick Heath
Sunset over Shapwick Heath
The pool from Noah's Hide
Great White Egret in the egret roost at Shapwick Heath.xxxxx
At the beginning of last week I was working in Bridgwater, Somerset. I had worked out that Shapwick Heath nature reserve was just a few miles away so I decided to pay it a brief visit before heading home after work. I knew little about the place other than that it is quite large and divided into two sections - I was also aware that a Great White Egret was seen here sporadically.
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I drove along the long road to the east section and noted that the car park was full and there as a long line of cars parked along the road edge. As a pub is nearby I assumed there was a function or something there - surely all these people weren't visiting the nature reserve? Wrong. I parked, got out of the car and around 100,000 Starlings flew directly over. This was why so many people were here. I finally realised that this area is a major Starling roost site and a major attraction featured in Autumn Watch. The Starlings actually roosted a mile or so up the road this evening - the birds I had seen were simply passing through. I walked around to the first reed bed and another flock of around 100,000 birds was swarming over the pool - making fantastic shapes in the evening sky. Stunning and what a spectacle.The website below gives more information on these birds.
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Shapwick Heath is located on the Somerset Levels - you can see Glastonbury Tor from the car park. Thousands of years ago it was swampland which was reclaimed by neolithic farmers. Essentially I walked alongside a drainage ditch the size of a canal with extensive reedbeds and pools on either side and fragments of woodland surrounding them. It appeared to be a marvellous place. I walked west along the drainage ditch just enjoying the glorious evening. A Sparrowhawk flew over, no doubt attracted by the Starlings. I arrived at Noah's Hide which is an elevated hide overlooking a large pool which was clearly once dry land. The tops of long dead trees protrude from the water and provide a perfect roost site for 100+ Cormorants. A tin hut sticks out of the water in one area. The pool was full of birds with Wigeon, Teal and various aythya ducks in large numbers.
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A birder who arrived at the same time I did soon spotted a female Long-tailed Duck. Shortly after I found a red-head Smew and a Whooper Swan. A pair of Pintails was present and a dozen or so Goldeneye. Alas I didn't have too long to spend here and soon set off back. I walked back soaking up the sounds of the fading evening - the guttural gargling of Cormorants, the whistling of Wigeon and at least four singing Cetti's Warblers. Three Tawny Owls were also calling from various parts of the reserve. At one point I looked back over the reed beds towards Noah's Hide and discovered the egret roost. At least 25 Little Egrets were present and the nearest bird, sitting up in the tree, was the Great White Egret!
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I continued back towards the car park and stopped in front of a reed bed when small passerines starting dropping in. I soon twigged they were Pied Wagtails and I eventually counted at least 310 of these birds dropping in to roost. All the time a Bittern was booming from the reedbed behind me. It was soon dark and I arrived back at the car park for the long slog home. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this brief visit - this place is magical. The best bit is I will be working in Bridgwater at least once each month - I can go back!
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