A Fine Selection at Abberton Reservoir

4th January 2026

I had six target species at Abberton today, one of which was Smew which have been showing well in front of the reed bed by the weir at the south-west corner of the Layer Breton Causeway. Just imagine my horror then as I drove onto the causeway and saw that the entire body of water to the west of the causeway was frozen over with a flock of swans standing on the ice!!!

I quickly switched to Plan B and started at the Layer de la Haye causeway. Goosander numbers were well down from the 50+ birds that were off the sluice a week ago, but I was treated to some take-off shots.

There were also a couple of pairs of Goldeneye quite close in. Just look at those dapper males and the pastel-coloured females.

Not many Egyptian Geese around today, but this one was bracing itself for a crash landing.

So what about the six target species? Well the first was the three Tundra Bean Geese that have been seen mostly in the fields south of the Layer Breton causeway. They were there today but extremely distant and were disturbed by the farmer and ended up standing on the ice at the extreme western edge of the reservoir, a distance of 500 yards as measured on Google Earth. I did grab a shot and not bad for 500 yards.

The second target species was the White-fronted Goose of which a flock of 10+ birds have been frequenting the fields behind Billets Farm. Luckily while I was still on the Layer Breton causeway they flew in over the trees and landed on the stretch of water in between the causeways.

The third target species was the Black-necked Grebe of which there have been up to six birds present this winter. I did find four birds but very distant, but luckily a fifth bird was close in, and certainly the closest I have been to one this winter.

The fourth target species was the Bewicks Swan of which there have been two present over the last couple of weeks but very mobile. Luckily today they were in the narrow strip of water just below the car park.

The fifth target species was the Little Stint which had been seen recently on the bank of the reservoir in the north-east corner of the Layer de la Haye causeway. This is the favourite area for Wigeon on the reserve and today this small group were grazing above the water line, but not much sign of any grass.

This is also one of the favourite corners for Redshank and today was no exception, and they seem totally oblivious to people peering over the wall.

A more unusual bird here is the Ruff. Ruff are often seen at wetland reserves during the winter, but I have never seen many at Abberton. Not the most conspicuous bird in winter, but they do have a lovely scaly back.

So where are the small waders? Well, I did find two but these were Dunlin with a decurved bill and far too big for a Little Stint.

But then three small birds came scurrying along all fitting the bill perfectly.

I think this is the first time I have ever seen and photographed Little Stint in winter.

So now on to the sixth and last target species, the Smew. As I said previously their favorite spot was frozen over, but they too put Plan B into action and flew over the causeway to the other side where the water was still open. They weren't there in the morning, but better to see them there in the afternoon as the light is so much better. Lets start with the female or Redhead.

And then the immaculate male. Just how amazing is that!!!!

Well, what a fantastic day with all six target species seen and photographed. Also good to bump into my mate Steve Grimwade, but a bigger surprise was to see a large car trip from the South-east Herts RSPB Group including Phil Blatcher, Julie Paice, Stuart Fox and Chris Gibson.