Watched the Purple Heron this evening fly out of ditch at 18.25hrs calling regularly as it gained height. At first it seemed a little unsure about leaving as Herring Gulls mobbed it but I watched it for 15 mins gradually circling higher and higher and then head east out along coast/over sea until it was a distant speck in my scope!
Some nice flight shots from the weekend here : http://www.leedingain.com/2012/04/purple-heron-otter-estuary-devon-7.html