Not to far away and not as spectacular but driving slowly in the snow through Dove Holes about 5pm this evening was a murmuration of approximately 1000 Starlings.
I went with John Tromans tonight to see the Starling roost at Cavendish Mill near Stoney Middleton. This is an increasingly well known site and there were over 70 people watching tonight. I have difficulty estimating huge flocks but there must have been over 100,000 (and if someone said it was quarter million I wouldn't argue).
Sunset tonight was 18.10 and the first birds began to arrive in small flocks of c25 at around 17.20. This built up to the giant super-flock which swirled around for some time in classical fashion until they all poured into the reed bed at 18.33. Show over! They even got a round of applause.
Directions: Take the A623 from Chapel en le Frith towards Chesterfield. Pass Tideswell on the right and the Three Stags pub on the left. Take the next right after the 3 Stags (Thunderpit Lane) signposted Cavendish Mill. Take next left and official parking is by Cavendish Mill near some bungalows. Walk back up the road c200m and climb over a locked gate on left. Through trees for 50m into a field where you get a decent view of the reed bed.
