Common Terns at Abberton Reservoir

30th July 2026

After a most successful morning on the beach at Walton-on-the-Naze, time to call in to Abberton Reservoir to try and connect with the Osprey. No luck there so I settled for an hour on Layer Breton causeway. I was immediately greeted by a heron that flew past close to the bank watched by two of this year's young.

On the other side of the causeway an adult Great Crested Grebe was keeping a watchful eye on a now fully grown humbug which was now fishing for its own food.

The cormorantry had now been abandoned and all the adults and young had commandeered a fallen dead tree for their roost.

Out on the islands just three Spoonbills were left from the 14 that had been seen the day before.

And at Abberton a couple of Lapwings are never far away.

Still early in the year and the only sign of Autumn migration was this solitary Common Sandpiper which was luckily quite confiding.

But then a bit of a surprise. Over the years the heronry has expanded from just being the nesting home of Herons but now also Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets and Spoonbils, but up to now no Great White Egrets. So today was the first time ever that I have a Great White perched up high in the heronry.

And then below in the shallows another bird was picking up a stick and offering it to his mate!!!!

Sadly a bit late for this year, but fingers crossed for next year.

But the stars of the show today were the Common Terns of which just three or four were present. Between fishing sorties they would take a break and loaf around on the bank and then take to the air for a magnificent display of graceful flight, and then twisting and turning when a fish was spotted. Enjoy!!!!!