WATERFOWL have taken up residence in gardens in Colchester’s Shrub End estate to escape the work at Abberton Reservoir.

Residents have noticed an influx of ducks and herons since work started.

Kevin Starling, of Eldred Avenue, which is four miles away from the reservoir, said: “The visits have been getting more regular.

“Lots of gardens on our estate have ponds, so they must be setting up homes.

“In my 30 years living in Colchester I have never seen wildlife like this in our garden.”

Mr Starling, 55, is concerned for the birds’ safety because of the number of dogs in the area.

He has also had to put a fake heron up to stop the real birds eating fish from his pond and is worried about the mess they might cause.

He said: “The work at Abberton needs to be done and it is a massive job.

“I hope that when the work is complete the ducks can go back there.”

Essex and Suffolk Water is spending £150million to increase the reservoir’s capacity from 26,000 to 41,000 million litres of water. The work started in March 2010 and is due to finish by spring next year.

It has been scheduled to minimise the effect on wildlife.

Erica Howe, of the RSPB, said ducks are looking to nest in quiet, sheltered areas at this time of year.

He added: “This, combined with the work going on, has probably prompted them to the ponds.

“Herons often move on when the water becomes too murky for them to be able to fish.

“But this will not be a permanent predicament. They will go back when the work is complete.”

Sarah Pinkerton, a spokeswoman for Essex and Suffolk Water, said the firm carries out monthly counts of waterfowl and has noticed an increase with a record high 40,000 birds last year.

She said: “We also set up wetlands on the west side for the birds to move to which has proven very successful.

“Disturbance seems to have been very localised with most disturbed wildlife moving to other parts of the site.”