ON the last day of my break from work I trooped down to the Somerset Levels to see what was about. I had an embarrassingly large number of layers on to stave off the cold - it just about worked, but I did look like the Michelin man.
Along with the usual overwintering ducks and waders, I was keen to catch the starling flocks and try out my camera in video mode - I managed to capture a few sequences (video)
It was truly amazing to see the thousands of birds - they make an astonishing whooshing noise as they fly low over your head - it honestly sends a shiver down the spine. However the real excitement comes when the starlings are preyed on (sorry I know that this sounds mean), as their reaction is amazing. I was surprised to see a buzzard swoop into the flock and have a pop, but was more thrilled when a peregrine did the same. The peregrine managed to catch its dinner and flew off with the poor victim in its talons.
When I was looking through my photos I realised that the peregrine had been harassing the flock earlier too. Also a picture of the Tor (like the one above) had a marsh harrier loitering in the background. How unobservant am I?
