Cattle Egrets at South Huish Marsh

Things are a little bit strange at the moment following the death of my father-in -law but fortunately we have a pre-booked weeks annual leave from work which has made things a little easier. We had no real plans for the week except for a trip to Salcombe on February 21st for a visit to the gin school at the Salcombe Gin Distillery (a Christmas present from our friend Julie) and a nights stay at The Harbour Hotel. The gin school was great fun and we got to make 2 bottles of our own recipe gin, I wasn't keen on my effort but Davids was very tasty despite us both following exactly the same recipes! We also drank lots of gin which was very nice and after gin school enjoyed a few more alcoholic beverages and a meal in Salcombe before eventually passing out in our hotel room later that evening after a very enjoyable day.

The following day on the drive back home to Plymouth we stopped off at Hope Cove for a walk to Thurlestone and back. The coast path wasn't too muddy and it was dull and cloudy and breezy and cold but remained dry. We bumped into my mate Mavis out with her walking group which was a nice surprise and she had seen a black redstart along the cliffs but despite looking I didn't find it.

At South Huish Marsh there were 3 lapwing and 4 black tailed godwits amongst the teal, wigeon and mallard and a buzzard was perched on a fence post at the back of the marsh surveying the area. Onwards to South Milton Ley and a pair of stonechats were feeding along the cliff path while at Thurlestone Marsh (or what is left of it) 3 large bulls were being followed around by a little egret and 2 cattle egrets, but unfortunately distant views.

 New Info Board at South Huish Marsh

Wigeon in the Gloom

After lunch at The Village Pub in Thurlestone we walked back to Hope Cove and the egrets were still in the field with the bulls but at South Huish Marsh there were 5 cattle egrets roosting with 2 little egrets and showing very well, 2 of the birds were beginning to develop the colourings of summer plumage despite the dull and chilly conditions.

 Little and Cattle Egrets in the Gloom

 Little and Cattle Egrets

Little and Cattle Egrets

Also seen were 4 Mediterranean gulls amongst the small black headed gull flock, an adult bird in almost complete summer plumage and 3 adult birds in winter plumage and beginning to moult into summer plumage.

 Winter Adult Mediterranean Gull amongst Black Headed Gulls

Summer and Winter Adult Mediterranean Gull amongst Black Headed Gulls

And so a nice night away, copious alcohol and a good birding walk - just what I needed.