Murmuration

Today's the day .............................. to perform

I blame the Night Nurse.

We were supposed to be getting up early and heading off to the RSPB Reserve at Leighton Moss to see the bearded tits - but by the time we woke up, it was already quite late. I've no idea what they put in that stuff, but it fairly knocks you out.

So by the time we got to Leighton Moss, I'm afraid there were no sign of the bearded tits - they will just have to wait for another time. But we did have a very exciting view of a bittern as it flew right in front of the hide from one side of the mere, into the reeds at the other side. I wouldn't have been surprised if everyone had burst into spontaneous applause - such was the exhilaration of all who witnessed it.

And then - just as the sun slowly slipped below the horizon, there came the performance staged daily by the cast of a hundred thousand starlings - the murmuration dance. They join together to choose their communal night-time roost where they will be sheltered from harsh weather and predators.

The sky seems to go black as the enormous cloud weaves about, changing shape, forming and re-forming. A wondrous sight to behold ..........................