Sutton Bingham - Sat 4 Feb

Despite some pretty heavy and steady snow I had promised to look after Tristan whilst Ellie went shopping this afternoon and because of the weather I just popped up to Sutton Bingham. When I arrived I couldn't believe it, West Pool was completely frozen over and most of the main reservoir was covered in ice also, leaving just a few open patches of water open for the birds.

As I parked up on the northern causeway a small flock of seven Lawings flew over, as did a single Snipe. A further two Snipe were feeding on a small patch of mud on the edge of West Pool and on the main reservoir there was a flock of 284 Wigeon, a massive jump in numbers from my last visit. A couple of Gadwall and half a dozen Teal were present and Tufted Duck numbers had risen to twenty-five birds. As I was about to head down to the southern end of the reservoir a couple of Linnets flew over calling, my first of the year.

With the whole of the southern part of the reservoir covered in ice it was perhaps unsurprising that a small area of water halfway between the hide and the Canoe Club was packed with birds. I counted 278 Teal, but some were out of site behind vegetation, so there were probably a few more. Six Wigeon were seen and another Snipe was present.

As it was too cold to take Tristan out for a walk I headed off after a pretty productive trip.

Hilfield LNR - Wed 1 Feb

As it was such a lovely afternoon, if somewhat cold, I decided to try and get a bit of birding in before doing the weekly grocery shop and popped to the local nature reserve of Hilfield about ten miles south of Sherborne. I was feeling confident that I may get some good birds when a Red-legged Partridge crossed the road in front of me as I neared the car park. However, as I got out of the car I was greeted by the sound of gunfire and it seemed that everyone in that part of Dorset was out shooting today. I'm against the shooting of any animal for sport and the constant ringing of shotguns going off somewhat ruined the afternoon and blew any chances of seeing much in the way of birds.
That being said I did see three Goldcrests flitting through the vegetation feeding constantly, the high ground was surprisingly covered with a thin layer of snow in parts, making it hard for these tiny birds to fine anything much to eat.
A flock of twenty Lapwings flew over heading north in to Somerset, probably frightened by noise, and amongst several Woodpigeons wheeling overhead I picked out a few Stock Doves. Other aerial activity came in the form of two pairs of Ravens.
Due to the "sporting" activity of the Country Folk I cut short my trip and headed back to Yeovil and a visit to the supermarket!

Sutton Bingham - Sun 29 Jan

A late afternoon trip with Tristan up the reservoir today and it was very cold. As a result we did not stay out very long. There was nothing at all of note from the hide so I concentrated my efforts on the reservoir from the northern causeway. The West Pool held a Little Grebe, a flock of fifty Wigeon and thirteen Tufted Ducks.
The gull numbers on the main reservoir were extremely high, with well over five hundred Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls being in to three figures also. At least twenty Common Gulls were also present. A calling Kingfisher alerted me to a Sparrowhawk as it drifted over the road and with the light failing I called it a day.

Aller Moor & Greylake RSPB - Sat 28 Jan

After lunch I had a bit of time to myself and popped up on to the Somerset Levels in an attempt to locate the reintroduced Common Cranes. Now I won't get on my soap box and start slating the whole reintroduction attempt, something I think is a waste of money...especially for a bird species that is not internationally threatened, but a little rant is par for the course with me! Anyway, I found the birds but it was really the genuine unringed Common Crane that I was after and I soon located it amongst the flock of thirty plus plastic birds.
I then drove up to the RSPB reserve at Greylake and walked out to a pretty busy hide. A couple of Peregrines were sat up eyeing the mass of wildfowl and a third bird was seen in the distance buzzing some Lapwings. I also picked up my first Stonechat of the year but there was not really much else of note so with time getting on and as I had promised to cook dinner, I headed back home.

Sutton Bingham - Sat 28 Jan

After dropping Ellie off in Yeovil so she could go shopping, Tristan and I spent a couple of hours up at the reservoir. Making straight for the hide I walked south along the reservoir and took a walk around the flooded area of woodland, flushing two Snipe along the way. There was not really much of note to be seen though I did see a Marsh Tit and a single drake Mandarin.
Returnign to the hide I counted forty-five Teal on the water and a Raven was calling from atop one of the pylons...so at least I had picked up a year tick.
On West Pool I noted another half a dozen Teal and a pair of Wigeon alongside seven Tufted Ducks. A larger flock of thirty-five Wigeon were grazing on the water's edge near the Sailing Club. Then it was time up and off to pick up mummy!

Sutton Bingham - Sun 22 Jan

Back in to a bit of routine today and Tristan's first birding trip with dad! I dropped Ellie off at church this morning and took Tristan with me to Sutton Bingham Reservoir, and he slept pretty much throughout the trip as I carried him in his papoose strapped to my front.

We walked alongside the water at the southern end of the reservoir, flushing a couple of Snipe and seeing a few Teal and three Mandarin (two drakes and a duck). There was a moment of activity and commotion amongst the duck as a Peregrine swept by over our heads, but it did not appear to catch anything.

When we returned to the car we saw a couple of Mistle Thrushes and a Goldcrest was seen singing away. We then hopped in to the car and drove up to West Pool and the northern end of the reservoir.

There were a few Common Gulls and a flock of twenty-two Canada Geese on the water off the Fishing Lodge, but the bird of the day was on West Pool...a Whooper Swan was present (seen feeding with a Mute Swan), a very uncommon bird at the reservoir in recent times. Despite the bird being in the far corner and the wind blowing a gale, I did manage to get one record shot:

Also on West Pool, a small group of thirteen Tufted Ducks and twenty or so Wigeon. Before I knew it our time was up and we had to head back and pick mummy up from church...but a great hour of father and son birding.

Longham Lakes - Sun 15 Jan

Our final stop of the morning, and it was a very brief one as it had become very windy and rather cold. We stopped off at Longham Lakes and walked out to the larger of the two lakes, seeing a Grey Wagtail along the way. Due to the conditions it was almost impossible to see anything much but I did pick out a redhead Smew amongst the commoner ducks. The other rarities we were after could not be located and as it was now midday we decided to call it a day and ensure we were home in time for lunch. A brilliant morning out and about and well worth the early start.
UK list for 2012 now at 105 species.