Starlings flocking on Otmoor?

Monkey Orchid · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-2010, 04:12 PM

A friend of mine has become keen to see starlings doing their mass flocking at dusk, prior to roosting (she saw a short film about it on the TV and now can't wait to see it for real). I heard that Otmoor near Oxford can be a good place to see this phenomenon (I've seen it myself around Wandsworth Bridge in London). Can anyone confirm if Otmoor is a good reserve for this, and if so, which area of Otmoor is best to visit to stand a good chance of seeing the spectacle?

My friend and I live in west Berkshire, so we could travel to any site around Newbury/Oxford/Reading if people can recommend any other sites which are good for seeing the starlings flocking.

Monkey Orchid · #2 (**permalink**) 11-02-2010, 06:32 AM

Any and all helpful suggestions appreciated!!

helen159 · #3 (**permalink**) 20-10-2010, 06:10 PM

Autumn Watch recommended going to Otmoor to see the starlings. I went on Sunday (17 Oct 2010) and stayed there for about three hours. Although I saw lots of small flocks flying overhead, we never saw the display. They all sat in the field gathering together but not taking off - we must have either been too early in the year or missed something somehow, so I would also love to have advice on when and where exactly to go. We went to the wetland.