Sutton Bingham - Sat 31 Dec

Decided to make one final visit to the reservoir this year and parked up at the northern causeway and started scanning the main reservoir. A drake Tufted Duck caught my attention and then I noticed a small grebe and my heart started pounding, Quickly setting up my 'scope I got on the bird and new it was a winter-plumaged Black-necked Grebe...and a quick flap of the wings showed the distinctive upper wing pattern to go along with the head shape and general plumage. As the bird was rather distant I jumped back in the car and drove round to the Fishing Lodge in the hope of getting better views. Fortunately the warden was present so I was able to view the reservoir safely and before long the Black-necked Grebe showed itself very well and after a couple of distant record shots I was lucky enough to get some closer pictures as it spent some time sleeping right in front of me.

After the excitement of a patch tick I was happy to scan the remaining birds on the reservoir counting a hundred Wigeon and then my second patch year tick of the day as a female Pochard popped up. Having missed a Pochard on patch in the summer I thought 2016 was going to be the first year I'd not logged a Pochard at the reservoir, so a real bonus.

What a perfect end to a great year of patch birding!
Sutton Bingham year list 2016 now at 123 species.

Sutton Bingham - Wed 28 Dec

An afternoon visit to the reservoir today after the Christmas break. I started off by checking the northern end where a hundred Wigeon and a drake Tufted Duck were off the dam. Zooming down to the southern end the only bird of note was a drake Mandarin, so back to the northern end again! -There were ninety-two Cormorant roosting this evening and thirty Common Gulls were among the gathering gull roost. A Kingfisher was noted and the single Coot was still on West Pool and four Mute Swans flew in.

Sutton Bingham - Wed 21 Dec

A quick pre-work visit produced six Goosander that flew south but failed to stop. A single Snipe was flushed from the water's edge whilst around the car park a small flock of nine Lesser Redpoll were present.

Sutton Bingham - Tue 20 Dec

I brief visit over my lunch hour today and I started at the southern end of the reservoir where a Peregrine was again present. Over head a flock of thirty-six Common Gulls passed by with two adult Mediterranean Gulls amongst them, all heading south.
I then headed back to the northern causeway for a quick check of the main reservoir and West Pool. The latter hosted two Tufted Ducks whilst another two Mediterranean Gulls (again both adults) were on the main reservoir off the Sailing Club with another five Common Gulls and several Black-headed Gulls.

Overhead a couple of Raven were noted and then it was time to head back to the office.

Sutton Bingham - Mon 19 Dec

A few quick visits to the reservoir over the last week have not produced anything of note, hence the lack of blog postings, however, this morning I spent about half an hour working an area that over the past few weeks seemed to be attracting a few birds. After locating a Long-tailed Tit flock I carefully followed their feeding route checking the birds carefully and keeping an eye open for anything different. A couple of Treecreepers were noted and at least four Goldcrest, plus a couple of Blue Tits, and then a surprise...a small bird with an eye stripe, and before long I was treated to some cracking close views of a Firecrest! This was my fist ever Firecrest at Sutton Bingham so I was obviously extremely pleased to have found it.
The only other birds of note this morning were a fly-over Raven and Meadow Pipit plus a Mistle Thrush and calling Bullfinch. It was too misty to see if there was anything on the water.
Sutton Bingham year list 2016 now at 121 species.

Ham Wall RSPB - Sun 11 Dec

This afternoon I popped up to Ham Wall RSPB reserve for a pleasant afternoon stroll. Not much in the way of birds surprisingly, but good to see at least two Great White Egrets, including one perched in a tree!

A female-type Marsh Harrier was quartering the reeds and a few Water Rail were heard. From the second viewing platform I saw a Chiffchaff but other than the expected wildfowl I'd say it was pretty quiet. As we were leaving several thousands of Starling were starting to arrive.
Highlight of the day was a Woodcock which flew over the A303 near Podimore as I made my way home.

Sutton Bingham - Sun 11 Dec

A quick morning visit produced a "new" Tufted Duck, with a drake at the southern end. Also a single Snipe plus a few Teal and Wigeon.