Another trip to the wonderful Somerset Levels – this time RSPB’s Greylake NR and then Ham Wall NNR. I dipped out on the Baikal Teal and Merlin, but enjoyed seeing snipe and the expected wintering ducks. The hide at Grey Lake feels like it must be the coldest place in Somerset, especially when the wind is up, as it was today. With the bright sunshine however, the birds that did show themselves were a treat – such as the chiff-chaff, below.

At Ham Wall I managed to be in the wrong place for the starling murmuration, but did see thousands of birds nevertheless in the distance. Once they have landed, they go on chattering well after the sun has gone down. I also saw two glossy ibises land a little way off, and a roost of eight great white egrets gather in the reeds.

The sound of starlings at roost on the Somerset Levels – this was a small group away from the main flock.