Starling Roost, 20th October

I decided visit the starling roost again a few days after seeing them first on the 15th. The light was a lot better so i could take some photos. Unfortunately it was also very very cold, and i had to sit for a long time in the arctic northwinds which had brought the temperature down a lot that week.
At around half past four, the first flocks began to come in and gather on the pylons. but it was very quiet for a while... i thought i was going to miss it this time around. However, as dusk was closing in, large flocks began moving in from all directions, and some starlings haad alrady begun their flocking ritual. It took a while, and was very cold, but eventually the starlings started 'whoosing' overhead and i managed to get some good in-flight shots. The mass cloud of starlings was as awesome as before, and i didnt mind too much that it felt like my fingers and toes would drop off, and this time there were more birds, perhaps around 4000, small in comparison to some flocks around the country! Again they twisted and turned before, just after 5 o clock the flock got sucked into the reeds and all fell quiet. Amazing!!!

Here's a few photos of the experience.

Starlings begin to arrive...

Gathering on the pylons...

Take off!

Flying over to flock

The final product (part of...)

...and into the reeds for the night!