DAVID'S NATURE BLOG

16 APRIL 2025 - ABBERTON RESERVOIR, ESSEX

John had things to do early on, so we didn’t leave my house until 10.15 a.m. There had been reports of a movement of Arctic and Black Terns, but the reliability at Abberton wasn’t that great, and although John gave us options for birding in the Ouse Fens - for Garganey and Glossy Ibis - Mike and I thought Abberton might be the better option on balance. The weather was bright, with some cloud and sunny intervals, and a moderate to strong south-westerly wind.

Just over an hour later, we were looking out over the expanse of water from the Layer de la Haye causeway, where we could already see numerous terns circling above the water amongst a throng of gulls (the majority Black-headed Gulls), together with some Tufted Ducks; Mallards; Shoveler, and some Great Crested Grebes.

John was scanning the terns with his scope as (through my binoculars) I spied a small tern with greyer wings than the Common Terns and gulls around it, which I initially claimed as a probable Black Tern, but Mike has seen the same bird and although he made the same assumption, quickly corrected it to being an Arctic Tern. But the bird was extremely difficult to follow as it was continually weaving and circling, occasionally dipping to the surface of the water - presumably catching flies; but it soon disappeared from view, and I’m not at all sure if John even managed a sighting.

Across the road, looking north over the reservoir, there was little activity of note, but right below where John and I stood, a pair of Little Ringed Plovers were displaying, giving exceptionally close views, and where I was able to photograph the full nuptial process – something I’d never previously witnessed, yet alone photographed.

We could see numerous terns at the Layer Breton causeway from here, and John thought it might be an idea to drive down and try for the Arctic Tern but were unsuccessful in relocating it. There wasn’t a great happening here either, although there were several male Yellow Wagtails, probably newly arrived; a pair of Yellowhammers (which seemed out of place here); and a pair off Egyptian Geese, with a family of goslings. Opposite, the colony of breeding Little Egrets appeared quite active, with nesting Grey Herons, when suddenly a passing Spoonbill flew in and landed on the edge of the reservoir, clearly looking for nesting material; and was seen to take a bill-full off twigs etc to a nest high above the Egrets nests.

On the way to the Visitor’ Centre - a small group of Black-tailed Godwits flew high overhead - then we stopped awhile at the ‘old road’ to try and see if we could bag a Nightingale, but although there were at least four vociferous males (with another across the main road) none were seen. But it a fantastic experience being so near to singing birds, together with a couple of singing Blackcaps, Robins, tits etc; with a few Small and Large White, and Speckled Wood butterflies.

We attempted viewings from the Hide Bird Hide, but there was little of interest to see, with no sightings of a reported Lesser Whitethroat, although Willow Warblers and Blackcaps were present, then made our way to the Centre for a welcome Cappuccino each, before setting off home.