The Somerset Levels, and Shapwick in particular, are probably most famous for the extraordinary displays of birds. During the winter, and into spring, huge flocks of starlings gather at dusk and dawn and seem to perform astonishing aerial displays. This wonderful sight has been captured by photographers and film makers for those of us who find winter evenings a bit too cold and bleak to actually stand and marvel in person. You tube has a wide range of short films, my favourite of which is:

Well, the Levels in winter – what could possibly disturb the desolate tranquillity of such a place?
Out on the Avalon marsh new groups are forming, new plots are being hatched and rumours of an ancient evil begin to circulate.

“The Drowners”, an Alex Hastings novel, coming soon.