Millions of starlings (six to 10 million at the last estimate) roost among the reed beds at the Westhay Moor nature reserve every night. The shortest day of 2005 (Wednesday 21 December) saw an incredible display of the birds coming in to roost there. Thousands of people from all over the UK and beyond have flocked to the site, at the heart of the Brue Valley, to see the foreign visitors, but you'll have to hurry if you want to see this impressive natural spectacle for yourself. An amazing sightThe most popular time to watch the birds is before dusk, as they come home to roost, but early risers can catch another amazing sight, as the starlings leave their nests at first light. David Reid, Somerset Wildlife Trust's Peat Moors officer, explained: "The birds come out of the reed beds in waves. You know when they've finally gone because it suddenly goes quiet. "If it's a clear blue sky morning, the birds can take off very quickly. On a more overcast day they might stay in bed a little longer - a bit like people!" TV starsStarlings are noted for changing their roosts every few years, but they have consistently come to Westhay for more than a decade. Nobody knows why, and it isn't certain that they will return later this year. "Last year they changed their behaviour," David said. "Before that, there were split flocks around the valley, but they all came to us for the 2004-5 season, and this year has been the same." Westhay's starlings will be making a TV appearance on Inside Out West on Monday 23 January, 2006 at 7.30pm on BBC ONE. | 
