Ham Wall Starling roost - information? (1 Viewer)

[Jos Stratford]

Hi,

Thinking about a trip to the UK specifically to see the big Starling roost at Hamwall.

Anybody know the current status of the roost this year? I see there is a hotline phone number, but that would be an international call, so is there a website that also gives details of best location/numbers of birds etc?

Many thanks

 

[dantheman]

Starling Murmuration Location Map

Our map showing Starling Murmuration roost sites throughout the UK, This is updated through our Submit Information form each Autumn/Winter.

www.starlingsintheuk.co.uk

However ... it doesn't include Ham Wall!! (Looking at the first page it's probably because they have requested not to be on the website, as they have enough visitors already - bit bizarre if so) So not very useful ...

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi,

Thinking about a trip to the UK specifically to see the big Starling roost at Hamwall.

Anybody know the current status of the roost this year? I see there is a hotline phone number, but that would be an international call, so is there a website that also gives details of best location/numbers of birds etc?

Many thanks

Hi Jos. I’m hoping to call in Friday. If I do I’ll make some enquiries with staff and let you know.

Rich

 

[Mono]

A look at Twitter would seem to indicate that the starlings are favouring Shapwick rather than Ham Wall this year.

 

[Jos Stratford]

A look at Twitter would seem to indicate that the starlings are favouring Shapwick rather than Ham Wall this year.

Where's Shapwick?

I've booked tickets to come to the UK next weekend, so I'll do a little investigation. Never been to Ham Wall (or Shapwick), so I think it will be a very nice day all in all.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Hi Jos. I’m hoping to call in Friday. If I do I’ll make some enquiries with staff and let you know.

Rich

That will be appreciated, thanks

 

[Mono]

Shapwick Heath is a Natural England site next to RSPB Ham Wall. There are various nature reserves owned by different organisations next to each other that are collectively known as Avalon Marshes.

https://avalonmarshes.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/16-05-10_AM-Area-Map_scale.pdf

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Where's Shapwick?

I've booked tickets to come to the UK next weekend, so I'll do a little investigation. Never been to Ham Wall (or Shapwick), so I'll think it can be a very nice day all in all.

They’re literally across the road from each other Jos.

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Hi Jos. I called in this afternoon but the volunteers had too many people around them. The car park was rammed. As was the small Shapwick Heath car park. I assumed from that the murmuration must be pretty good at Ham Wall. When I learnt that the path to the Avalon hide was flooded I left after only a short walk.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Thanks for that. I think I'll go quite early in the day to have a general look round reserves, then Ill also check where's best for the murmuration. Do folk generally watch from the car parks?

 

[ClarkWGriswold]

Thanks for that. I think I'll go quite early in the day to have a general look round reserves, then Ill also check where's best for the murmuration. Do folk generally watch from the car parks?

Appeared to be heading towards viewing platform 1.

 

[Owene]

obviously it depends where the birds are but vp1 is by far the best laid out vantage point in the whole Avalon marshes area. Visibility of habitat at shapwick can be very hit and miss

 

[Paul Chapman]

I have never gone to see the murmuration as such but I have stayed on in the past after wandering around the reserve and been surrounded by incoming birds at Waltons. It was a pretty breathtaking experience. Thoroughly recommended.

All the best

Paul

 

[Merlin]

I have never gone to see the murmuration as such but I have stayed on in the past after wandering around the reserve and been surrounded by incoming birds at Waltons. It was a pretty breathtaking experience. Thoroughly recommended.

All the best

Paul

Paul
I'm not sure of your age, but when I lived there, Clevedon Pier had one of the most impressive 'murmuration's, as did Bristol Temple Meads railway station.

regards
Merlin

 

[Paul Chapman]

Paul
I'm not sure of your age, but when I lived there, Clevedon Pier had one of the most impressive 'murmuration's, as did Bristol Temple Meads railway station.

regards
Merlin

That would have been impressive. Very limited roosts locally these days. I have been here 25 years.

All the best

Pauk

 

[Jos Stratford]

Hopefully the weather will hold, heading to the UK this weekend for a rare visit.