Sutton Bingham - Wed 23 Apr

Unlike the last couple of weeks, I didn't have time to spend long a the reservoir before work this morning, so a quick stop at the northern causeway only. This was worthwhile though with a Reed Warbler singing in the corner of West Pool, though it was deep in cover the whole time, affording just a brief view.

I had slightly more time available after work and this was also beneficial as I found six Egyptian Geese on the bank opposite the Sailing Club, rather distant but a good addition to the year list.

So two new birds for the year today (though it appears I missed a couple of Black-tailed Godwits which were flushed and flew south early morning, you can't get them all!).

Sutton Bingham year list for 2025 now at 95 species.

Sutton Bingham - Sat 19 Apr

I got a message this morning from one of the Rangers at Sutton Bingham saying he had a strange bird outside the Fishing Lodge but that it had flown to the northern bank and was lost to view. Unfortunately, I knew it would be a little while before I could get to site. Fortunately, when I did arrive I managed to relocate the bird in question and it was a Whimbrel!

I've not seen many Whimbrel at Sutton Bingham, they are a scarce visitor and it's been many years since the last one I saw on the patch, so this was a real bonus, and the fact it was pretty settled for the duration of my visit made it all the more rewarding.

The only other bird of note this morning was a lone Common Sandpiper but an afternoon visit did yield brief views of the singing Cetti's Warbler which is still hanging around near Cotton Bridge.

Sutton Bingham year list for 2025 now at 93 species.

Sutton Bingham - Thu 17 Apr

Another early morning visit before work, as has been the norm over the last couple of weeks, and today I connected with my first Whitethroat of the year with a singing male below the railway embankment on West Pool.
However, there was nothing else until I heard and then located a Greylag Goose that was between the car park and the Canoe Club. I managed much better photos than those of the Greylag Goose that was present a month ago.

Another addition to the list this week was House Martin with a small number present at the northern end yesterday.

Sutton Bingham year list for 2025 now at 92 species.

Sutton Bingham - Sun 13 Apr

Pete found a singing Cetti's Warbler in a private area of the reservoir yesterday, which I tried and fail to find, but today I got lucky and had a burst of song during a brief visit. A very scarce bird at Sutton Bingham, hopefully this one will hang around for a while. I also managed to connect with a Spring Willow Warbler that was half-heartedly singing in the car park a couple of days ago.

Sutton Bingham year list for 2025 now at 90 species.

Sutton Bingham - Thu 10 Apr

The recent run of productive visits today (though I did miss a Wheatear yesterday) although at one stage a pair of Tufted Duck on West Pool looked like they were going to be the highlight. However, a trip round to the northeast corner turned up trumps as a Green Sandpiper was present with a Common Sandpiper.

Scanning the margin I then found another wader, this time a very smart Little Ringed Plover, a species that is pretty rare in Spring.

So a couple of quality patch year ticks today.

Sutton Bingham year list for 2025 now at 88 species.

Sutton Bingham - Tue 8 Apr

Yesterday I managed to bag my first Common Sandpiper of the year and a Coot was present along the arm. Today I found not one, but two pairs of Reed Buntings. The first at the southern end and the second at the northern end...although I suppose it's not beyond the realms of possibility that they could have rapidly moved up the reservoir! There were also three Common Sandpipers today and four Tufted Duck (there have been a few over a recent days).
Sutton Bingham year list for 2025 now at 86 species.

Sutton Bingham - Sat 5 Apr

A fairly productive visit today with a few additions to the year list, the first of which was Mandarin Duck with three drakes displaying to a rather uninterested looking duck on West Pool. In the car park a Blackcap was in full song and my third, and final, addition of the day was a Skylark heard singing up high somewhere near the Canoe Club (despite my best efforts I was unable to spot it).
A few Sand Martins passed through and a pair of Swallows seemed to be back on territory at the church.
Sutton Bingham year list for 2025 now at 84 species.