Abberton Reservoir and Waxwings in Colchester

Having spent yesterday at home doing a few jobs, it was time for some more birding today. We headed for Abberton Reservoir. As we arrived there was a large raft of Pochard on the water off Layer Breton Causeway. But after several scans through the flock, there was no sign of the Canvasback. A pair of Smew were seen moving slowly in front of the distant reedbed, and two pairs of Red Crested Pochard flew overhead before circling back and landing on the same body of water as the Smew.

We drove round to Layer-De-La-Haye Causeway and quickly added Goosander and Great Crested Grebe to the year list. There was a huge raft of Coot with more Pochard among them at the back. We scanned through the flock but again there was no sign of the Canvasback. My first Grey Wagtail of the year was seen along the reservoir bank and a Rock Pipit dropped onto the opposite bank for another addition to the year list.

Male Goosander

Rock Pipit

We left Abberton when news came through that twenty Waxwings were present just ten miles away in Colchester. There was no sign of the birds when we arrived, but fifteen minutes later they flew in.

An hour or so later we headed back to Abberton and scanned the reservoir from St Andrews Church viewpoint. We picked out a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls but again failed to find the Canvasback or the reported juvenile Velvet Scoters.

We got home to find that someone had seen the Canvasback from Lodge Lane viewpoint, the only place we didn't visit!