Scaup at Abberton Reservoir

17th February 2019

There had been up to eight Scaup reported at Abberton Reservoir so time for a visit, but first a quick detour to East Mersea. It was a lovely sunny Sunday and the car park was quite busy when we set off past the hide towards the grazing meadows. Up until now the grazing meadows have been dry due to the lack of rain, but now they were just starting to collect water but so far had only managed to attract four Mallard. From the gate by the sea wall a flock of some 50 Wigeon were busy grazing and posed for a couple of shots.

Down by The Point the tide was on the way out and the mud was starting to be exposed attracting large numbers of waders predominantly Dunlin and Knot.

At this point we usually follow the water's edge to photograph Sanderling, Turnstones and Ringed Plovers, but today the beach was full of people. I have been coming here in the winter for several years now and it is very noticeable that on weekends and school holidays it is becoming very popular. NOTE TO SELF: Only visit East Mersea in the winter, and only on weekdays and out of school holidays.

On our way to Abberton we took a quick detour to Fingringhoe to look for the Water Pipits that had been on a flooded field for the past week. We could only find three and they were at least 100 yards away, so it was only possible to get a record shot, so straight on to Abberton.

From the Layer Breton causeway there was no sign of the Great White Egrets or the Smew, just a pair of rather obliging Goldeneye.

On the Layer de la Haye causeway the Long-tailed Duck and one of the Black-necked Grebes were present but miles out, and we eventually managed to track down the Scaup in a large flock of Tufted Ducks. One female had flown over the causeway when the whole flock were spooked by a Marsh Harrier but that still left three Scaup, an adult and sub-adult males and a female. Here is the adult male.

And here is the female with the large blob of toothpaste around her bill. However, be warned that some female Tufted Ducks also have some white above the bill, but never all the way round. They also have tufts. The other bird is the sub-adult male still showing some brown on the wings.

And here is the complete trio.

It must be quite a few years since I last photographed Scaup.