Abberton Reservoir
Abberton Reservoir is an artificial body of water located close to the coast of Essex in the east of England. It is 5 miles south-west of Colchester near the village of Layer de la Haye.
It is a large, shallow, freshwater storage reservoir and is the largest freshwater body in Essex. On its margins are found well-established plant communities that provide important opportunities for feeding, nesting and shelter. Abberton Reservoir is important as an autumn arrival area for waterbirds that then spend the winter elsewhere.
It is designated a Special Protection Area as a result of its over-wintering populations of Golden Plover, Gadwall, Shoveler Ducks and Teal and for its breeding population of cormorants. In addition there are significant numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Coot, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Pintail, Wigeon and Great Crested Grebe.