The huge expanse of EWT Abberton Reservoir just south of Colchester in Essex is one of Europe's top wetland sites. It is of international importance as a safe haven for wild ducks, swans and other water birds, whether resident, passing through on migration or over-wintering.
The main purpose of my visit was to record any spring/summer migrant birds and especially Little Ringed Plover and Yellow Wagtail, both of which I had yet to add to my 2025 UK and Essex lists. I quickly found a single Little Ringed Plover at the usual location at the end of the Layer Breton causeway but it took a lot of repeated scanning and searching in the Billets Farm and Wigborough Bay areas before I finally saw a Yellow Wagtail at the latter.
The other target for my 2025 UK and Essex lists was Cattle Egret which I was also successful in seeing amongst the mixed colony of Grey Herons, Little Egrets and a single pair of Spoonbills.
In addition, there was a good selection of other spring/summer migrants.
The other remarkable sighting was a single Whooper Swan associating with a flock of Mute Swans. This winter visitor should have left the UK for its breeding areas many weeks ago.
The highlights during my visit were as follows (heard only records in italics): Little Ringed Plover (1), Lapwing (1), Cattle Egret (2), Spoonbill (2), Little Egret (c.15), Grey Heron (c.25), Teal (c.50), Tufted Duck (c.40), Mallard (c.20), Shoveler (c.10), Gadwall (3), Great Crested Grebe (c.30), Whooper Swan (1), Mute Swan (c.100), Coot (c.10), Egyptian Goose (7 including a pair with 5 juveniles), Cormorant (c.75), Common Tern (at least 50), Black-headed Gull (+++), Lesser Black-backed Gull (1), Yellow Wagtail (1), Nightingale (1 singing male), Swallow (6), Sand Martin (2), Common Whitethroat (7 singing males, 4 seen), Lesser Whitethroat (1 singing male), Sedge Warbler (2 singing males), Cetti’s Warbler (1 singing male), Chiffchaff (3 singing males, 2 seen), Blackcap (6 singing males, 1 seen), Linnet (12), Skylark (2), Reed Bunting (1 male), Marsh Harrier (2), Kestrel (4), Green Woodpecker (1), Red-legged Partridge (2)
Additions to 2025 UK and Essex year lists: Cattle Egret, Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail
In addition, I saw the following: Brown Hare (1), Green Hairstreak (2), Orange Tip (3), Peacock (1)
Here are some photos from my visit ….
Photo: Little Ringed Plover
Photo: Little Ringed Plover
Photo: Common Tern
Photo: Common Tern
Photo: Common Tern
Photo: Common Tern
Photo: Spoonbill
Photo: Great Crested Grebe
Photo: Great Crested Grebe
Photo: Great Crested Grebe
Photo: Cormorant
Photo: Cormorant
Photo: Cormorant
Photo: Cormorant
Photo: Kestrel
Photo: male Common Whitethroat
Photo: male Reed Bunting
Photo: Pied Wagtail
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