Hen Harrier and Cattle Egret

Spent an hour on the cliffs above Budleigh early this morning with the Mrs, in the hope of some Woodpigeon movement. Several hundred Woodpigeon were recored, but no huge numbers. However, more interesting was a very distant Egret picked up by the Mrs, sat on top of a tree on the cliff top. It was a long way off, but I just managed to get some distant pics before it flew off inland that would seem to confirm it was a Cattle Egret. Birds moving overhead included Siskin, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch, Linnet and a single Brambling.

This afternoon a look on Woodbury Common was very worthwhile with a ringtail Hen Harrier and a Merlin.

Very distant Cattle Egret - Combination of short bill, short neck and size in comparison to
Carrion Crow would seem to fit Cattle Egret

Hen Harrier - Woodbury Common

Hen Harrier - Woodbury Common

Hen Harrier - Woodbury Common

Hen Harrier - Woodbury Common