The Spoonbills Are Back

11th March 2026

Just heard the Spoonbills are back in the Abberton heronry so time for a visit to see how they are getting on. Upon my arrival at the Layer Breton causeway I had a quick scan of the reservoir both sides of the road. Scarcely a duck to be seen and the only one close enough for a photo was this lone female Goldeneye. What cute little birds!!

On the flooded field at the south-east end of the causeway a pair of Egyptian Geese were bathing.

Or at least I thought they were.

Don't blame me, I've had a very sheltered upbringing.

So now down to the heronry where all the action is. But before I got started a female Marsh Harrier wafted over the heronry causing an explosion of Spoonbills. The good news is that she put on quite a show.

Herons are early nesters so were already in the heronry..........................

.............................with some already on nests.

The Spoonbills on the other hand had only been back in the heronry a few days and were staking out their preferred nest site, but very little else. Here are a couple of shots of them returning to the heronry after being disturbed by the harrier.

They may be very graceful in the air but are ungainly in trees especially in a strong wind.

Most of the time was spent sleeping and preening.

Well, nice to see them back and looking forward to photographing some young in the nest.