Sutton Bingham Reservoir
Habitat: Man-made reservoir with wild flower meadows and surrounding arable farmland and mature hedgerow trees.
Grid ref/postcode for main car park/access point ST548111
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Created in the 1950s Sutton Bingham Reservoir is a small reservoir on the Dorset border, host to the usual species associated with lakes, such as Great Crested Grebes and the commoner duck species.
The best places to explore are the northern causeway (car park, closed in winter, or roadside parking) and the southern end (where there is a small pull in with space for two cars). From the causeway the northern end and the West Pool can be easily viewed. The vast majority of the rest of the site is private with no public access; however, there is a footpath along part of the western shore.
The car park is a good area to explore in the spring and summer when warblers are present, though it can get rather busy on a sunny day. Ospreys are annual on passage, with autumn birds often lingering. Higher water levels over recent years have led to less in the way of wader passage, but Common Sandpipers are expected on migration in spring and autumn. A fairly large gull roost is present over the winter months, with well over 1000 birds often being present and is worth checking for scarcer larids – Yellow-legged Gull is annual.
The high quality rarities of the 60s, 70s and 80s seem to have vanished into memory, as a result of the effects of eutrophication and high numbers of bottom-scouring carp, but quality birds over the past few years have included Yellow-browed Warbler, Iceland Gull, Black-crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Great White Egret and Great Northern and Red-throated Divers and a Forster's Tern in 2023. The site list is in the region of 231 species.
Directions
Heading south from Yeovil on the A37 take a right turn at the top of the hill by the thin obelisk, before the railway bridge. Follow the minor road SW for 2 miles to the car park just beyond the causeway.
Accessibility
The car park is open 1 April – 30 September. The only publicly accessible footpath is from the car park walking south for about 1 mile. The site is STRICTLY NO DOGS.
About the Site