Sutton Bingham - Sat 2 Nov

A Bar-headed Goose was present on the northern causeway a few days ago but it was a much more interesting species that I found this afternoon during a very quick visit. A small flock of six Dark-bellied Brent Geese were present at the northern end and showed very well from the bottom of the car park.

It seems that they flew south soon after I left the site. Brent Goose is a very scarce visitor to Sutton Bingham and my only previous sightings have been of individual birds, so to have half a dozen on the patch was a very pleasant surprise.

Sutton Bingham year list for 2024 now at 106 species.

Sutton Bingham - Fri 18 Oct

About half a dozen Chiffchaff were noted around West Pool and the car park this morning and eleven Snipe were flushed from the edge of West Pool, however, there was finally a bird of quality as a Goshawk was seen from the car park over the far bank where it had caused mayhem among some two hundred or so corvids. Having had a couple of probably Goshawk sightings earlier in the year which I couldn't quite nail there was no doubt with this one!

Sutton Bingham year list for 2024 now at 105 species.

Sutton Bingham - Sun 6 Oct

The first Wigeon of the Winter present off the Fishing Lodge this evening and the only sighting worth mentioning. Yesterday there were two Coot on West Pool, that's as good as it gets I'm afraid.

Sutton Bingham - Sun 22 Sep

Nothing out of the ordinary again today, but worth a posting as there were five Tufted Ducks at the southern end this evening with a single Teal and two Green Sandpipers. From the Fishing Lodge there were singles of Coot and Common Sandpiper.

Sutton Bingham - Fri 13 Sep

I spent over two hours scouring the reservoir today, the only bird worth a mention was a Little Grebe along the arm.

I presume this is the same bird I found last weekend.

Sutton Bingham - Sun 8 Sep

Two Whinchat were present this afternoon at the southern end, between the entrance gate and sleeper bridge, the same area as the bird that was present a week or so ago, and it's possible that one of today's birds had been lingering in the area for that whole time. Somewhat more obliging today, I managed to get some identifiable photos!

The only other birds of note were three Common Sandpipers at the southern end and another on West Pool and a Green Sandpiper at Cotton Bridge. However, just as I was leaving the patch I had another quick check of West Pool and found a Little Grebe, my first of the year! It seems to have been an age since the last addition to the patch year list.

Sutton Bingham year list for 2024 now at 104 species.

Sutton Bingham - Thu 5 Sep

A Wheatear was seen briefly yesterday evening but in pouring rain today there was not a lot about with another Common Tern off the dam being the pick.

There were ten Common Sandpipers across the site whilst eleven Mandarin were at the southern end alongside three Teal. A single Green Sandpiper was also seen.