3rd March 2024: A lifetime tick at Abberton

 A rather gloomy day at Abberton, and there was not much activity from the causeway, with a few Goldeneye and Great-crested Grebe diving in the water, but little else to be seen.

 We drove towards Billet Lane, but the gate to the car park was locked, so we parked a little further along the road, close to a raised screen. The footpath was very muddy with a deep puddle stretched right across. Tim had wellies on so waded through, with a message to report back if he found anything worthwhile. Meanwhile, Andy and I walked up the road and managed to squeeze through a narrow gap in the hedge, and squelch up the field to join him. There were plenty of Tufted Ducks, and we scanned through hoping to pick out some sort of a Scaup, without success. A Great Egret was at the back of the water and a few Pochard dozed to our right. 

Continuing on towards the next causeway, Andy spotted a Yellowhammer fly from the hedgerow as we drove past, but Tim and I failed to get on to it. At the causeway, a few Greylag Geese and Coot swam  lazily, but again there was little of note to be seen. 

Next we decided to head for the visitor centre, feeling slightly disappointed, and noted the gate at Billets Lane was now open. We planned to return later, after a drink, but I checked my phone and discovered a report of Lesser Scaup at Billets Lane ten minutes ago. Back we went, and picked our way along a muddy track, with some positive hints from a birder coming in the opposite direction. His instructions were brilliant, and within minutes I'd managed to pick out a female, then a male Lesser Scaup together. The Collins guide was really helpful in tuning us in to the key identification features, namely pointed head shape and darker vermiculation, confirming a new lifetime tick for all of us.

Lesser Scaup (from E-bird)

A male and female Goosander  were also here, giving very good views.

Goosander (m)

Goosander (f)

After a cup of tea at the centre, we managed to find another three Lesser Scaup from Gwen's Hide. The drakes had slightly different plumage, and we debated long and hard as to whether one might be a Greater Scaup, but in the end decided not. On returning to the centre later, we were pleased to find someone else had reported the same birds, confirming we had the correct ID. There was also a report of a Little Owl opposite the Billets Lane car park, so we set off once again, and scanning from a gap by the road, Tim soon spotted the bird perched in a tree, fleetingly joined by a second bird. Another new tick, and useful to know for future visits.

We drove from here to East Mersea beach where we ate lunch and  watched a flock of Dunlin circling across the waves before eventually settling on a distant spit. Driving back, we stopped by the estuary, where a smattering of waders were found, but not particularly close. After the success of the morning, we all agreed it was time to head back and spend some time with mum, feeling very satisfied with the birds we had found.