New Year's Day at Abberton Reservoir

It was quite a grey day today but still far too nice to spend it indoors.  We eventually decided to head to Abberton, and it was a good decision!  Lots of birds were in the mood to be captured in flight:

Another birder in Gwen's Hide alerted us to this marsh harrier - looks like a male.

The wigeon weren't happy about the harrier's appearance!

One of many rooks flies across.

The Godfather makes sure he's not left out.

More incoming wigeon!

I was just coming up to Island Hide when these mute swans flew across.  Beautiful!

The rather odd sight of a herring gull chasing two great black-backs!

Off they pile, catching up with the herring gull which had been in front of the black-backs.

A splashy take-off for this cormorant.

A pair of mallards fly over the Layer Breton causeway.

A lovely young black-headed gull shows off!

Finishing with this Canada goose at the head of a charge.

Enjoy!

Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.