Sutton Bingham - Tue 29 Apr

A real flying visit on the way in to work proved to be worth while as a pair of Shelduck were present at the southern end of the reservoir opposite the site of the hide. Quite a surprising find, and the first Shelduck I'd seen at Sutton Bingham for a few years. The only other bird of note was a fly-over Raven.
Sutton Bingham year list for 2014 now at 87 species.

Town Tree Nature Garden - Sun 27 Apr

In between visits to Sutton Bingham I managed to get out this afternoon to this small nature reserve near Martock. It had been many years since I had been here and despite constant rain whilst I was walking around I had an enjoyable time on site. A very obliging Sedge Warbler put on a bit of a show soon after I left the car. A pair of Gadwall were on the large pool and a very pale Buzzard caused a bit of mayhem as it flew across the fields. Other birds seen today included a couple of Goldcrests and a pair of Jays. A nice little trip out, despite getting soaked!

Sutton Bingham - Sun 27 Apr

A visit to the reservoir late morning produced a cracking summer plumaged adult Black Tern hawking over the water and viewable from the northern causeway and the car park. I really nice find and given the recent weather conditions I had been hoping one would drop in. A Common Tern, which caused a few discussions given that it was a pretty pale bird, was also present. I had initially dismissed this bird as a Common, had another look later in the day and thought Arctic, then saw the bill in better light and the diagnostic black tip confirmed my first thoughts! One of the things I love about birding, you're always being kept on your toes.
I didn't see anything else of note in the morning, but did pop back in the evening and both terns were still present. A Kingfisher was also seen at the southern end of the reservoir and the first real numbers of House Martins were present.

Meare Heath NR - Sat 26 Apr

A fairly short trip out this afternoon and I spent a some time at Meare Heath where the only birds of note were a Little Ringed Plover on the drained scrape, alongside two Lapwing and sixty-one Black-tailed Godwits, and a male Marsh Harrier. Very quiet but it was pretty overcast and extremely windy!

Sutton Bingham - Tue 22 Apr

A flying visit before work and the Common Tern was still present near the Canoe Club and two Common Sandpipers were on the southern causeway.
I spent a little longer on patch later afternoon and added Reed Warbler to the patch year list with a very obliging (though very quiet) individual near the car park. A couple of Linnets were also seen.
Sutton Bingham year list for 2014 now at 84 species.

Ham Wall RSPB - Mon 21 Apr

Making the most of the Bank Holiday sunshine we took a family trip out to Ham Wall RSPB this morning and enjoyed a good couple of hours out. A leisurely walk out to the second viewing point produced singing Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler...all new for the year list.
From the second viewing platform a Cuckoo was heard singing and a Great White Egret looking magnificent in breeding plumage was fishing along the reed edge. A total of three drake Garganey were seen and three Marsh Harriers also put in an appearance. A single Bittern was seen in flight, though at least three were heard booming.
Several butterflies were on the wing including a good number of Orange Tips.

We retraced our steps back towards the car and stopped briefly at the first viewing platform where a very smart male Bearded Tit put on quite a performance and rounded off a really nice morning out.
Year list for 2014 now at 162 species.

Sutton Bingham - Mon 21 Apr

An hour on patch before breakfast and my second tern in as many days, this time a Common Tern working the reservoir between the Canoe Club and site of the hide.

The only other birds of note this morning, a Willow Warbler and a pair of Tufted Ducks.
I popped back late afternoon and the Common Tern was still present as were a pair of Linnet. A slight surprise in the form of a Snipe which flew south over the reservoir.