Wood Sandpipers at Abberton Reservoir

8th August 2026

Two Wood Sandpipers had been reported from the Layer de La Haye causeway and always the chance of seeing the Osprey, so time for a visit to one of my favourite sites. A quick pit-stop at the Layer Breton causeway for breakfast and was greeted by a single Heron and a multitude of Great White Egrets interspersed with a trio of Little Egrets.

The Common Terns were also active.....................

......................and here is one spooking a Great Crested Grebe.

Just five Spoonbills today and keeping their distance on the island behind the weir.

Now on to Hide Bay Hide for the Osprey which was sitting in its favourite tree. Unfortunately it was a very hot day so the heat haze wiped out any shots, so this was the best I could do as it flew from one branch to another.

However, the Marsh Harriers were far more cooperative at times flying quite close to the hide like this adult female with its creamy-coloured crown and face.

And then a little later a juvenile with its orange crown and face flew in and landed right in front of the hide.

So what about the Wood Sandpipers? Well, two were feeding on a huge area of floating algae in the North-west corner of the Layer de la Haye causeway and would occasionally come close enough for some photos.

At one point one of the birds flew on to the bank just 10 yards away. Didn't have to worry about heat haze with this one!!!!

Why can't all birds be this cooperative?