It's been a rather busy end to 2022 and beginning of 2023. As a result of mounting uni assignments, birding has unfortunately not been top of my priority list since the new year.
However, a trip to North Norfolk in late December rewarded Hume's Leaf Warbler, Shorelark, Velvet Scoter etc.
But alas, I managed to get a free afternoon on the 6th January so endeavoured to get my year list off to a decent start. After debating whether to filthily twitch the Swalecliffe Pallas's Warbler, I decided that a trip to Abberton Reservoir was the order of the afternoon.
Uni work meant that I arrived at the reservoir just after 12 - the first call of the day was the Layer Breton causeway. Upon arrival, a huge raft of Tufted Ducks was immediately evident, in amongst them were a scattering of Pochard whilst a couple of Goosander lingered behind them. However, I was unable to pick out any Scaup, but a male Goldeneye fairly close in kept me fairly entertained. In the distance, the orange bill and large frame of a Great White Egret could also be made out.
But I was still yet to find the real target of the day - a female Smew which had been lingering around the causeway for the past week or so. After being pointed in the right direction of the bird by a couple of lovely birders, I turned around to have a look at the other side of the causeway. After a brief scan, I was delighted to briefly cast eyes on the bird before it dived down. This was to be a repeated process in which the large amount of time the bird spent diving meant that it was tricky to get a picture of. However, with a bit of patience, it came closer and I managed to get a few phones coped snaps of this wonderful bird - an Essex tick to boot!
After the bird hid behind a line of trees, I decided it was time to move on to Billett's farm. Having been tipped off that there were 3 Bewick's Swans present there, I came to the decision that this was to be the next place I visited. Upon arrival at the viewing point, a scan of the water revealed decent numbers of Goosander in addition to more Goldeneye and a couple Great White Egrets. Some Mute Swans got the heart racing but sadly no yellow bills. That was until a look with the naked eye revealed a yellow beak poking up from a ditch in front of me! Eventually 3 Bewick's Swans emerged from the ditch allowing me great views of this species that has eluded me for a while at the reservoir. Yet another Essex tick!
With yet another Essex tick under the belt and only a couple hours left of daylight, I decided I needed to head onto the reserve for a look. Here I managed to tick Goldfinch, Great tit, Blue tit and Kestrel for the year by the centre before I ambled towards Island Hide. Yet another bird that has eluded me for a while at Abberton is the Great Northern Diver which has been present for months now. With news of one being seen from Island hide I couldn't help but have a go. However, around half an hour spent in the hide was rewarded with little other than a large number of Coots in addition to a few more Goosander and Goldeneye.
Feeling slightly frustrated at missing this species yet again, I decided to pop into Gwen's hide on the way back to the centre on the off chance that the Diver might be located from there. To my amazement, someone in the hide was on the bird! With a bit of patience I managed to get the bird into my scope - catching brief but identifiable views of the bird before it dived and emerged from the water in a different position. My third Essex tick of the day and a bit of an unexpected one!
Delighted with my haul for the day, I headed towards the Layer-De-La-Haye Causeway to spend the remaining hour of daylight looking for one more Essex tick. Luck was on my side yet again as the two ladies that earlier pointed me on the Smew were there and had a suspicious looking Grebe in there scope. A look through it in my scope confirmed that this was indeed the Black-necked Grebe that had been present over the last week or so! A quadruple of Essex ticks and a wonderful start to the year!
But I wasn't done there just yet. A scan of a close flock of Tufted Ducks revealed at least 4 Scaup - despite them being mostly asleep, their large size and round heads as well as the silver back of the drake confirmed their identity. Whilst admiring the Scaup, another birder called that they were on the Great Northern Diver yet again. This time I was able to get more prolonged views of the bird and even snap a couple of pictures of it! Finally, a close Rock Pipit was a lovely way to finish the day.
What a fantastic end to my first birding outing of the year - 43 species were managed. With a weekend trip to North Norfolk on Saturday, hopefully there is plenty more to come!
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