Abberton Reservoir

The water stretches out flat and enormous, dotted with small islands where cormorants dry their wings in the afternoon sun. Abberton Reservoir near Colchester is one of Essex's finest spots for serious birdwatching, attracting everything from winter greylags to rare vagrants that turn up in autumn and spring. You'll want binoculars and a decent field guide - this isn't a casual spot where you stroll about and hope to see something interesting.

There are several hides dotted around the perimeter, all well-maintained, and the walking routes are straightforward enough. A circuit of the reservoir takes roughly two hours at a leisurely pace, though you could spend half a day here if you're properly into ornithology. The visitor centre sorts you out with information and usually has someone who knows what's been spotted recently - invaluable when you're not sure what that distant wader might be.

Winter's the premium season when migrant ducks and geese crowd the water, but spring and autumn migrations pull in serious twitchers. Summer can feel a bit quiet by comparison, though breeding birds keep things interesting if you know what you're looking for.

If you're staying at Eastland Meadows Country Park, just under seven miles away, this works brilliantly as a morning or afternoon excursion. It's free to access the hides, and there's decent parking. Families will manage fine if they've got patient kids and decent eyesight - but this is really for people who actually care about identifying birds rather than just watching ducks.