Saturday 1st June 2024: Fingringhoe birding

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 Departing around seven with Andy, we arrived at the reserve before the gates were open, so returned for a short walk by some pools where a  colony of Sand Martins were nesting, their burrows clearly visible in the sandstone embankment. A Litte Grebe, Great- crested Grebe and a few Black-headed Gulls loafed on the bank, and a pair of Lapwings displayed over the water. A backdrop of Ox-eye Daisies and sunshine made for a pleasant, relaxing stroll.


By now the reserve was open, so we continued on our way, observing a stunning, glossy Swallow on a post in the car park. We strolled through the scrub lined paths, finding plenty of Whitethroats and a female Blackcap. It wasn’t long till we heard our first Nightingale in full song, but they were elusive, and it wasn’t until the end of our walk that we finally managed to sight a pair as they flew across the path ahead, and were seen flitting in the bushes, before disappearing from view.

On a shady path, I heard a Turtle Dove purring, and as we rounded a corner, there it was, pecking at the ground ahead of us, it’s beautiful markings showing really well at such close range, and with no leaves or bright sky to inhibit our views. It was a lovely moment.

Turtle Dove

As we continued along the path we encountered more typical hedgerow species, with a family of young Long-tailed Tits being a highlight. By the water a young Moorhen was not keen to co-operate for photos, but from the hide a Reed Warbler was definitely in showing off mode, as he climbed the reed and sang at full blast.

Reed Warbler

A Cuckoo was frequently calling around the reserve, and flew over several times, on one occasion very low, showing the white fringes on its tail.

After such a rewarding walk around the reserve, we were running out of time, but following a tip-off from another birder, we made a quick detour to Abberton Reservoir, where we found two Little Ringed Plovers roosting on the shingle, and our first Common Tern of the year, which flew overhead as it swept across the water. At the other causeway, we found the nesting Spoonbill, preening and showing its distinctive bill for another easy tick for Andy before heading home.


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