Breakfast at Abberton Reservoir

12th October 2025

Off to Fingringhoe Wick for the rising tide, but as customary a pitstop at the Layer Breton causeway for breakfast. The reservoir was incredibly quiet, probably due to the mild weather, and the only bird of note was a Great White Egret that was fishing in front of the reeds by the weir. There were five Great Whites present but the others were all distant.

Also nice to see the male ducks coming out of eclipse plumage like this Teal...................

.....................and this Shoveler....................

.........................although this one still has a long way to go!!!

Couldn't believe my eyes when I got to the Layer de la Haye causeway and saw just how low the water levels were on the main reservoir. This is the east side of the causeway looking north.

And here is the north end of the causeway looking east.

The reserve was also desperately quiet but one couldn't help noticing that, due to the heavy spring rains and summer sun, there is a bumber berry crop this year everywhere you go. Here are some Hawthorn berries and Sloes.

Now inside the Hide Bay Hide and the low water levels are even more pronounced, with the whole bay bone dry.

Only the Long-tailed Tits outside the hide saved the day.

But the stars of the show were the first returning Pintails, one at the Layer Breton causeway.................

........................and five birds at the Layer de la Haye causeway.

This is the Pintail Synchronised Swimming Display Team, but the far one has only just started training.

Well, fairly quiet at Abberton so off to Fingringhoe Wick for the high tide.