Cattle Egrets and Common Terns at Abberton

24th July 2024

It's that quiet time of year when the breeding season is coming to an end but the autumn migration hasn't kicked off yet, so time for a visit to Abberton to see how the Cattle Egrets are getting on and to hopefully get some shots of the Common Terns. And yes it was quiet with just about the only thing of interest on the Layer Breton causeway was this lone juvenile Shelduck which had found a good feeding area below the weir.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I find the juveniles more photogenic than the adults.

So now to have a look at the heronry and quite a big changeover. The Spoonbills had all departed and the main  remaining occupants were some juvenile Little Egrets and a few Cattle Egrets of which the only ones visble were adults. This is an adult Little Egret bringing food into the young.

I could see up to four adult Cattle Egrets in the colony, mainly partially obscured, but now and then would move position sufficiently to allow a shot.

One in particular adopted a look-out position on high!!!

There wasn't much flight activity away from the colony, more changing positions within the colony, all of which provided some opportunires for some shots.

So now on to the Common Terns which were performing well. Today quite a few were landing on the banks of the causeway allowing some close-up shots in the mid-day sun.

Also nice to see some juveniles showing there has been some breeding success.......................

......................and of course they needed feeding.

But in the air they are the masters of the sky with a totally effortless and graceful flight. Just sit back and enjoy!!!!