Abberton Reservoir and Bebacre Broad.

Abberton Reservoir:  While in Colchester took a walk around the new hides on the reserve and from School Lane as well as Layer Bretton end. Here I found my first GREAT WHITE EGRET for the day which pictured in bad light below. As well as RED CRESTED POCHARD  the usual female which is a partial hybrid.

 

At School Lane:  I stopped counting LAPWING at 700 when another hundred came on in. but there was also 53 GOLDEN PLOVER and 7 DUNLIN as well as 3 RUFF.
Centre:  A pair of stone chat at the entrance was a good view and also a GREEN WOODPECKER. A few SKYLARK and in the bay yet another GREAT WHITE the second followed by yet another on the far side. LITTLE EGRET and GOLDENYE where in plentiful supply but a bird that was well across the other side was still viewable as a male MERLIN. It seems that the first REDWING of the year was mine when it flew up from my path and started eating in a bush nearby. Altogether 53 species in 2 hours. Not bad going.

Benacre Broad.: Best birds were undoubtedly the pair of SHORELARK and obvious male with a black bib and a female with a more rusting rump. She was not much dowdy but what I would call not so clear cut in plumage. These to birds were associating with 4 SNOW BUNTING of which was a good white bird. 2 MARSH HARRIER one which was really pale bibbed and the other shoulder coloured. A pair of SHELLDUCK and a single MED GULL and GADWALL. 30 TEAL and 3 DABCHICK. Flying south  several flocks of BRENT ( 5-7-28-24) and one on the broad as well as a BARNACLE GOOSE a feral bird assumed. I also had a roving pair of CHINESE WATER DEER.
On return to car in first wood. LONG, BLUE and GREAT TIT'S as well as a single male BLACKCAP.