May Day at Abberton

1st May 2021

We are now into May so time for a visit to Abberton to try for some spring migrants. At the Layer Breton causeway the main attraction today was the Spoonbill that had been around for a couple of days and was currently roosting in the heronry. Although it was visible near the top of one of the trees it was deep inside and for most of the time obscured by branches and twigs. However, I did eventually manage to manoeuvre myself into a position where I could get a reasonable line-of-sight to the bird before it flew.

On the water there were a few Great Crested Grebes and the Mute Swans were doing their courtship display despite pairing for life.

The only bird that looked slightly out of place in early May was this female Goldeneye which should be back on its breeding grounds by now, although three did over-summer here last year.

The Herons were flying in and out of the heronry and still plenty of action amongst the Shovelers.

On the banks Whitethroats were making the most of the brambles that had sprung up since the last clearance operation, and on occasion would sing from the tops of the bushes.

For some flight shots I thought I would try my luck with some Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns. The terns are a bit more tricky as their flight is more erratic and they suddenly disappear from the viewfinder without warning.

There were also a few wagtails on the banks including a couple of Pieds, but the stars were the Yellow Wagtails with their bright yellow plumage.

The only waders present were three Common Sandpipers which kept their distance on a fallen tree some 25 yards from the bank. However, by just waiting a while one of them flew in and landed on a log right next to us. How good is that?

Not much on the Layer de la Haye causeway apart from some rather exquisite waders, a summer plumaged Dunlin and four Little Ringed Plovers. The Dunlin kept its distance but a couple of the plovers were fairly confiding and allowed some close-ups to be taken.