Tony McLean had the first autumn passage green sandpiper of the year on Watton NR on Monday evening:
And there has been plenty of activity from the barn owls feeding young. We can come clean and admit now that there are spotted flycatchers on the reserve - unfortunately their nest has failed despite keeping it from public attention. However this happened last year too and they did get a brood off in August. Their unfound nest is now suspected to be within the Water Treatment Works compound - protected by Infrared security cameras 24 hours a day so we feel happy. If you want to see them the weeping willow in the works near South Lagoon is a good start.
Also there is a steady rise in Kingfisher activity of late - hopefully they will perform again as per the last two years in coming days, and the first mute swan cygnets have appeared - 2 on SMW from number 339 and 6 on Watton NR.
Also Tophill regular Alan Walkington contacted us to say that his excellent picture of long-tailed tits may be featured on Springwatch unsprung tonight at 8.30 on BBC2 - look out for it possibly under Alan's user name of 'Gannetal'.
As Alan correctly notes 'Tophill Low photographers rule ok!'
