Starling roost at Willen Lake

I got there today, about 3:15 p.m., and waited. The sun slowly sinking in the west, and my eyes were skywards, to the north. A few gulls began coming in, as the light started to fade. The minutes ticked by, but no sign yet.

A Sparrowhawk lazily circled overhead, looking around. 'If he’s about, then I must be in the right spot', I thought to myself.

3:45 p.m., and still nothing.

Just as I began to wonder if it was going to happen, a small group flew in overhead.

‘Is that it?’ I thought to myself.

No. A few more appeared, then a few more. A group flew in from the west, and another appeared in the east. Two or three groups slowly became one, as more and more flew in to join them. The sun was sinking, the sky turning ever so slightly red through the cloud, and the Starlings were performing their aerial ballet.

Amazing, and it was all free!

I took some pictures and some video, but it just does not do the spectacle justice.

It may not be the biggest roost in the country, but certainly worth watching.

They circle around, groups joining groups, and groups leaving the main group; and an endless stream of birds, as more and more appear from nowhere to join them. How do they not collide?

Then suddenly they drop; down into the reeds, or trees in the distance.
How do they know when to stop circling round, and all stop together?

I walked along the edge of the lake, to a spot where the last remaining stragglers were settling for the night. A lady walking her dog had stopped to watch too, and we were both spellbound. A Sparrowhawk made a quick dash over the reeds, but left empty clawed.

Just amazing