| Egrets land surprise movie hit | |
|  | Little Egret wading through vegetation
Photo by Richard Brooks, courtesy of RSPB |
| | The exotic new inhabitants of a South Devon river estuary are the stars of a new film.
The Egret has Landed documents how warmer winters have helped colonies of Little Egrets thrive in the waters of the Kingsbridge estuary. |
| | | A colony of little egrets which has made its home in the estuaries of South Devon are the unlikely stars in a new film.
The Egret has Landed records how hundreds of the birds have uprooted themselves from the Mediterranean to settle in Devon.
Until about 20 years ago, your only chance of sighting a little egret was by watching a wildlife film.
Now you can see hundreds of the birds on the estuaries around Kingsbridge.
In his latest film, naturalist Richard Brock has charted the birds' progress from southern France to the UK.
Mr Brock, who spent 35 years making wildlife films with the BBC until 1995, has spent the last three years recording the estuaries' exotic new inhabitants.
He said: "The first birds started arriving in 1979 and since then it has been an amazing story of challenge and adaptation.
"With the colder winters of the past, they would have returned to warmer countries in the winter.
"But now winters have changed, the climate is softer and they do not have to return home."
 | | Little Egrets have made their home in the estuaries of South Devon |
And he says it is only a matter of time before the birds are seen around the UK.
"This bird is a winner, and it has found its own niche in the system. A lot of other Mediterranean birds have made the same journey."
According to the RSPB, the little egret has been joined by a flock of other birds from Africa and the Continent checking out the warmer weather in the UK.
These include the Cetti's warbler, which made the southern wetlands its new breeding spot, as well as the serin, the lesser blackbacked gull and Dartford warbler.
The film has turned into a surprise hit at the Reel Cinema in Kingsbridge - where all tickets for its first three showings were sold out.
Cinema boss Philip Pritchard said: "We have been knocked out by the reception for this film.
"It just shows how these birds have caught everyone's imagination in the area."
For those who missed the film's world premiere, it will also be available on video from selected shops in Kingsbridge.
First published: 3rd October 2003
| | | |
|
| | Weather |  | | Monthly statistics, features and information. |
| E-cards |  | | Send an e-postcard of glorious Devon to a friend. |
| In Pictures |  | | Browse through our vast selection of photo galleries. |
BBC Devon
Broadcasting House
Seymour Road
Plymouth
PL3 5BD
(+44) 01752 229201
devon.online@bbc.co.uk
|
|
