Sutton Bingham - Fri 31 Aug

A text from Dave Chown telling me of two Black-tailed Godwits was enough to tempt me up to the reservoir during my lunch break today. The Black-tailed Godwits were showing well if somewhat distantly at the southern end with the long-staying Dunlin and juvenile Shelduck. A single Green Sandpiper and three Common Sandpipers were also present. I then turned round and noticed another Common Sandpiper with a smaller wader, a Little Ringed Plover.

A return visit at the end of the day added Snipe to the list with a single bird on West Pool. So a good bit of wader action today, albeit no year ticks.

Sutton Bingham - Wed 29 Aug

More of the same today with the Dunlin and Shelduck still present at the southern end along with three Green Sandpipers and six Common Sandpipers.

Sutton Bingham - Tue 28 Aug

A very long-billed Dunlin gave me a bit of a run around this afternoon. When I first got on the bird it was rather distant and I was hoping it might be something rather more interesting, but closer views including a flight view proved identification.

The juvenile Shelduck was still present as well as two Green Sandpipers and half a dozen Common Sandpipers. Three Mute Swans were present on West Pool. A much welcome patch year tick in the form of three fly-over Yellow Wagtails was the highlight of the visit.
Sutton Bingham year list 2018 now at 111 species.

Sutton Bingham - Mon 27 Aug

Another Wheatear today, present on West Pool but always distant, but never wanting to disappoint here's a photo for you anyway.

The Shelduck was still present this afternoon and there were three Green Sandpipers along with five Common Sandpipers at the southern end of the reservoir. Four Teal and a Mandarin were also noted today.

Sutton Bingham - Sun 26 Aug

A juvenile Shelduck was a new arrival today, present at the southern end of the reservoir.

Also today, two Wheatears, with one on West Pool and the other opposite the Sailing Club. Add to that two Green Sandpipers and six Common Sandpipers plus singles of Teal and Mandarin.

Arne RSPB - Sat 25 Aug

A trip down to the RSPB reserve at Arne today which started with a walk over Coombe Heath where an Osprey was present albeit rather distant.

A Dartford Warbler was heard but not seen and that was pretty much it on the bird front. I did manage to successfully see both Raft Spider and Wasp Spider though.

After lunch I took a walk out to Shipstal Point which again was pretty devoid of birds other than a flock of Black-tailed Godwits and a few Sandwich Terns. Returning to the car park a Whinchat popped up and was the pick of the day by a mile.

Sutton Bingham - Wed 22 Aug

An impressive fourteen Common Sandpipers on the patch today, a really good autumn count. There were also two Green Sandpipers this afternoon along with four Linnet and a Mandarin. There was also a good movement of Swallows and House Martins today.