Rocky The Abberton Pipit

28th January 2024

After an amazing mornig at Mistley just enough time for a quick visit to Abberton. This winter has been very different to recent ones. In previous years most of the winter action has been from the two causeways which is great from a photographic point of view, but this year they have been relatively quiet with most of the goodies being seen from the Billets Farm, Wigborough Bay and Abberton Church viewpoints.

The sole wader representative this year seems to be the Layer de la Haye Redshank which is not only always present but is now very used to people so close-ups are possible.

Although there are enormous numbers of Aytha ducks this winter it appears to me that numbers of Goldeneye and Goosanders are well down. Luckily there is usually a rather smart drake Goldeneye feeding in the shallows

The Goosanders like to feed in front of the sliuce and normally swim underwater into the suice where there is a large shoal of Perch. But this year I haven't seem one go into the sluice, perhaps something to do with the water levels. Also the few Goosander that are here seem to be males.

There are probably up to three Smew present, but seem to be avoiding the reedbed next to the weir at the Layer Breton causeway which is their traditional site and seem to be dispersed over the reservoir. This redhead was with a female Goldeneye in front of Gwen's Hide.

But the star of the show today was Rocky the Rock Pipit which seems to have taken up residence on the Layer de la Haye causeway. It too has become very used to people and doesn't fly when you walk past, so ideal for a photo-shoot. Enjoy!!!