THERE are still thousands of starlings overwintering on the Somerset Levels, but they make us watchers work hard for our thrills. They stream in in vast numbers, but it is really tricky to know where its best to go to see them.
From the Ham Wall RSPB nature reserve there was a great view last Saturday evening, although somewhat distant.
As the huge flocks flies overhead their collective wing flapping creates a spine tingling whoosh, but its not a good idea to look up with your mouth open - if they get frightened its carnage!
As they settled down they seemed to escape the attention of the marsh harriers, but there were still some great wheeling formations:
IF you're a small being with magical skills, ambivalent towards humans and capable of either helping or hindering us, then this is what you might use to drink from:
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| Scarlet elf-cup fungus |
Spring is not the time of year when you might expect to see fungi 'fruiting', but in fact there are quite a number of notable species, such as morrels and jelly ears that do appear now.
This Scarlet elf-cup (Sarcoscypha coccinea), which I found on Saturday, is an attractive species which is easy to identify and looks a little like discarded orange peel, although red...
TODAY I was particularly hoping to capture the grebes' wonderful spring dance.
In their breeding finery the pairs drift around feeding whilst the male calls out with a sound that is a mixture of a bark and a honk - it resonates across the water with an eeriness which is hard to describe. The call states his territorial intentions and seems to do it for the ladies too!
Just occasionally the couple go face to face and bob and turn their heads to the prelude to the main event. They then seemingly lose interest and both dive off to gather weed. Finally they swim back together and rise breast to breast in exultation, waving their weedy trophies in the air whilst they magically tread water - standing high. Its quite a sight and is a sure sight of imminent Spring.
Now if there were just a little nearer (250yds?) then I would get some great images too.
