Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – Tuesday 29th DECEMBER 2020

Further to the announcement of a Tier 4 (Stay at home) lockdown in Norfolk, the NOA has closed all hides on its nature reserves. While we would discourage anyone from travelling too far during this crucial time, our reserves themselves will remain open for local visitors and usual charges will apply for non-members. Please follow government advice, and respect social distancing at all times. We will restore access to our facilities as and when government restrictions permit.

We are very grateful for your understanding and support.

Monday 11th April 2016

Highlights today included a surprise and rather smart 1st year male Pied flycatcher in and around the NWT car park, with Grasshopper Warbler,  Redstart and Ring Ouzel also on the reserve. A small flock of six Redpolls were in the west end of the pines next to the observatory disabled Car Park. On the sea an unseasonal Manx Shearwater was seen by several observers and counts included 9 Red-breasted Mergansers and 7 Great Crested Grebes.

At Walsey hirundines took shelter over Snipe's Marsh from the strong easterly winds, with c. 40 Sand Martins and 18 Swallow lingering to mid-morning; a White Wagtail flew in high from the north, landing on the roof of the hide briefly, and 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls flew north west over the reserve to the marshes. In the scrub recently arrived migrants continued to sing, with 4 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff and 6 Blackcap noted. Greenshank and Ruff were recorded along the East Bank and 2 Wheatear were in the Eye field late afternoon.

Female Tawny Mining Bee, one of many to emerge over the last week - Walsey Hills, April 2016

Norfolk News from Birdnet
> Norfolk White Stork (presumed escape) S/of King's Lynn in grass field N/of Setchey Road this evng PE30 2QA TF631204
> Norfolk White Stork (presumed escape) Acle by A47 NR13 3AS TG413116
> Norfolk White Stork flew S/over King's Lynn at 12:40 PE30 2QA TF631204
> Norfolk Adult Spoonbill Burnham Overy Staithe on marsh from harbour road
> Norfolk White Stork (presumed escape) flew over Cantley Beet Factory NR13 3JA TG389037
> Norfolk No Further Sign of Little Gull Whitlingham CP between 17:45 & 18:00
> Norfolk 2 Little Gull Whitlingham CP at Whitlingham Broad Ctry Park at e/end
> Norfolk Pied Flycatcher Hickling Broad NWT NR12 0BW TG429221
> Norfolk Black-necked Grebe Tottenhill GPs showing well at 16:50
> Norfolk Male Ring Ouzel Beeston Bump late a/noon but mobile NR26 8DB TG167432
> Norfolk 2 Ring Ouzel Winterton North Dunes NR29 4BQ TG496198
> Norfolk 2 Male Ring Ouzel Snettisham RSPB at 14:30 on Beach Road in paddock behind fish & chip shop TF650328
> Norfolk 2 Male Ring Ouzel Sheringham on golf course by railway embankment at 10:30 then flew off NR26 8BQ TG159435
> Norfolk Male Pied Flycatcher Holme NWT at 12:15 in pines near C/pk TF715449
> Norfolk Male Ring Ouzel West Runton at 09:00 in C/pk briefly
> Norfolk Little Gull Colney GPs early a/noon
> Norfolk Ring Ouzel Holme at 11:40 in paddocks TF715449
> Norfolk 4 Spotted Redshank Breydon Water NR31 9QB TG464048
> Norfolk Spotted Redshank Breydon Water NR31 9QB TG464048
> Norfolk 2 Male Ring Ouzel Titchwell RSPB at 06:50 N/of Chosley drying barns then flew/E PE31 8BB TF759436
> Norfolk 2 Redstart Titchwell RSPB + Firecrest & 2 Velvet Scoter PE31 8BB TF759436
> Norfolk Little Ringed Plover Snettisham Village off Beach Road in paddock behind fish & chip shop TF650328