Yes it has been a long time since I graced the humble little platform of 'Tales of an Essex Birder', however, living abroad in Ireland has somewhat stifled the quantity of birdwatching over the past few months. But what better way to return to the blog with a mega in God's own county Essex.
A certain Howard Vaughan (the man largely responsible for nurturing mine and so many other young birder's passions) only went and found a drake Canvasback at Essex's premier reserve - Abberton Reservoir. Being across the channel in Ireland at the time the bird was found, I reluctantly resigned myself to not seeing such a mega rarity one home turf.
However, after certain unfortunate events played out a sudden trip to England was on the cards, and after spontaneously booking a flight on the 17th November I suddenly found myself at a certain windy body of water staring at a raft of Pochard.
Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself... A prompt half 7 start (early for a student) I found myself at the Layer-de-la-Haye causeway with the parents - who had come for a rare trip out birding. With the Canvasback having been reported just 5 minutes earlier from this specific causeway and with a decent amount of light, hopes were certainly high. However, the challenge in picking the bird out was becoming evident very fast. With inconsistent light, diving ducks and mobile flocks, finding the Canvasback felt like finding a needle in a haystack. Needless to say, the first attempt was fruitless with none of the onlookers being able to locate the bird. Only a Green Sandpiper in addition to the usual suspects of Goldeneye and Goosander provided some consolation. Yet our hopes were restored after a report of it being sighted from the Layer Breton causeway meant that many Quattros were fired up and the group of birders that gathered quickly dissipated.
Onto a somewhat chaotic Layer Breton causeway for a second attempt... The light was promising and several onlookers managed to get onto the bird. Having been pointed in the right direction and after some scanning I felt I had seen the Canvasback extremely briefly, but after diving down I was unable to relocate the bird. Frustratingly, the sun went behind the clouds and as a result the light diminished and the wind heightened - providing somewhat miserable viewing conditions. A Marsh Harrier quartered the causeway keeping the birdwatchers company. After the Pochard flock flew off, I knew it was time for lunch and a sit down in the warmth of the visitor centre.
After a jacket potato with cheese and beans I felt recharged. Vowing to have a break from chasing birds, I instead opted for a stroll around the reserve in the hopes of potentially seeing a Great Northern Diver which had been reported. The first stop was the Island Hide, where a male Stonechat provided some variety to the day's list. But other than this, there were very few birds to look at. Whilst in this hide we were informed that the Canvasback had been seen at Gwen's hide around the corner. My ears pricked up at this news and we promptly left the hide to head back to Gwen's for a third crack at the Canvasback. They say that third time is a charm - this was certainly the case with the Yank drake. After some persistent scanning I was finally treated to prolonged views of the Canvasback - witnessing the mega for up to a minute at a time before it dived and was lost again in the melee of Pochard. At one point, the bird went right to the front of the Pochard flock, allowing everyone in the hide to get onto the bird and verify the sighting at the same time. I was absolutely made up and relieved. I could finally relax in the knowledge that I had added this behemoth of a sighting to both my life and county lists! Get in!
Due to the elusive nature of the bird, I was unable to snap any pictures so you'll just have to take my word for it. Made up with this sighting, we decided to head back to the car and drive around to Abberton Church in the hopes of seeing some of the other support cast which had been reported from the viewing point there. Upon arrival, it seemed fairly quiet, however, the birds were soon about to start being picked up. Quickly, I managed to pick up one of the Velvet Scoter which had been reported distantly - a superb bird for Abberton and a species worth visiting the reserve for alone. Whilst enjoying the bird, more birdwatchers began to turn up at the viewpoint - more eyes meant more sightings. Another Velvet Scoter was picked up in flight, showing a nice white flash in the wing. Promptly following this, a kind gentleman pointed out a Great Northern Diver which was seen distantly before living up to its name and promptly diving back into the water.
The day's list was starting to get ridiculous with the reservoir producing more quality seabirds that most seawatches. But we were not done there yet. Another quality bird for the county was added in the form of a Shag which showed much more closely and was somewhat co-operative. Posing enough to grab a photo before diving on the regular.
Yet another nice addition to the day's list was a Peregrine Falcon which harassed some of the gulls and Lapwings - even spending some time perched on the water tower! More than pleased with my fill of quality birds at the church viewpoint, I decided to end the day at Lodge Lane.
After driving round to the final viewpoint of the trip, we were greeted with even greater views of the Velvet Scoters which kindly posed well enough to even grab a couple of cheeky pictures. But yet another new addition to the day's list was a female Common Scoter which took some perseverance to pick out amongst a huge raft of Tufted Duck (mixed in which a dozen or so Goldeneye).
More than content with the gluttony of sightings - including a yank mega in my own back yard - I retired home for an Indian meal and a beer. It's days like these that make birdwatching so very very special.
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