SIGHTINGS AND NEWS FROM ABBERTON RESERVOIR
Date: 10 August 2010
Another productive weekend for birdwatching included: hobby (1), black tailed godwith (390), ruff (16), spotted redshank (8), snipe (2), greenshank (2), green sandpiper (3), common sandpiper (2), little egret, common tern, little gull (2), corn bunting (3), yellow wagtail, common buzzard (1), sparrowhawk, Egyptian goose, sand martin, skylark, linnet, green woodpecker.
Also: brown argus, gatekeeper, ringlet, peacock, small copper, small heath, common blue; black tailed skimmer, ruddy darter, four spotted chaser, small red eyed damselfly.
Date: 3 August 2010
Warm days for butterflies and dragonflies and low water for waders and wildfowl - what could be better?! Highlights in the last few days have included: brown argus and purple hairstreak; small red eyed damselfly and brown hawker; little ringed plover (6), ruff (3), black tailed godwit (132), common sandpiper (6), green sandpiper (7), turnstone (1), dunlin (2); garganey (8), pintail (5), red crested pochard (2 male); peregrine (1 female), pied flycatcher (1), willow warbler (8), lesser whitethroat (3), turtle dove (2), little gull (3).
Date: 27 July 2010
Water levels continue to drop; and the reservoir is filling up with birds!! Highlights over the weekend included: garganey (7), shoveler, gadwall, wigeon (1), common sandpiper (7), whimbrel (1), black tailed godwit (30+), green sandpiper, little ringed plover (6 juv), ruff (2), greenshank (1), peregrine (1 male), marsh harrier (1 male), turtle dove, great spotted woodpecker, lesser whitethroat, chiffchaff, corn bunting, ... Insects were also in evidence: a new colony of brown argus (20+), purple hairstreak (2+), small copper, common blue, holly blue, comma, small heath, gatekeeper (lots!); brown hawker, ruddy darter.
A new path has been made offering the nearest viewing point across to the island, and a second hide will open there shortly.
Children's activity days start next week (see event listing for details). Please book early to avoid disappointment - some dates are already fully booked!
Date: 25 July 2010
A very successful Moth Evening event was held last night. The weather was warm and dry without much breeze; and we were able to run 3 moth lights with an expert stationed at each one to help with ID. About 100 different species were identified, including broad bordered yellow underwing, ruby tiger and poplar hawkmoth shown here.
Date: 21 July 2010
Water levels are still dropping and the island is growing! Wader numbers and variety are increasing: black tailed godwit (205), wood sandpiper (1), green sandpiper (3), common sandpiper (1), ruff (3), spotted redshank (1), redshank (1), greenshank (4), oystercatcher (6), lapwing. Also common tern (including juveniles), little egret, gadwall, shoveler, skylark, corn bunting, yellow wagtail, marsh harrier, peregrine, common buzzard, chiffchaff, turtle dove, bullfinch, great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker ....
The new temporary hide is now open, giving views across Hide Bay and the newly profiled reservoir edge.
Date: 13 July 2010
The big news here today is that our island "Atlantis" has emerged because the water levels in the reservoir are continuing to drop. The first waders are already arriving to explore this new feeding habitat, including 84 black tailed godwits and a few lapwings. Also 245 mute swans feeding in the shallow water; and cormorants, coots, common terns and black headed gulls resting on the island. Pair of marsh harriers seen distantly across Hide Bay; and greenshank and green sandpiper from Layer Breton Causeway.
Date: 6 July 2010
Highlights over the weekend included little gull (1), honey buzzard (1), common buzzard (1), marsh harrier (1 male, 1 female), corn bunting, gadwall (250+), yellow wagtail.
Insects included purple hairstreak, small tortoiseshell, broad bodied chaser, common blue damselfly, azure damselfly, blue tailed damselfly.
Date: 29 June 2010
Highlight over the weekend was a common scoter seen to the east of Layer de la Haye causeway on 27th & 28th. Also first returning waders with spotted redshank (2), greenshank (1) and green sandpiper (2) noted.
Date: 23 June 2010
There is a lot of activity around Abberton Reservoir at the moment. Essex & Suffolk Water are busy increasing the capacity of the reservoir by over half! This means that the view from visitor centre is very different with all of the concrete surround having been removed and this can only be good news for our wildlife!
Date: 5 & 6 June 2010
Abberton Reservoir Wildlife & Country Fair was a great success with lots of stalls and activities and fun for all the family. Highlights included Suffolk Punch dray rides around the new nature reserve, pond dipping and bushcraft activities, and feeding time for 2 red kite chicks. The caterers and refreshment stand were kept very busy; and ice cream and cold drink sales were good! There was a crowd gathered round the Essex & Suffolk Water/Carillion stand every time I passed as people learned more about the reservoir enhancement scheme. There seemed to be a good atmosphere all weekend and the 'avenue' of conservation and craft stands looked colourful, busy and fun! One of the first birds the bird ringers caught was an adult nightingale already wearing a Portuguese ring, which caused much excitement as it is the first such recovery in Britain that we know of.
