Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

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COVID-19 Update Monday 12th April 2021

Further to the lifting of restrictions on Monday 12th April 2021 the NOA reserves and car parks remain open to visitors but hides remain closed. We are hoping to be able to open hides to visitors on Monday 17th May 2021 in line with expected changes to government restrictions, and will post further updates on this page prior to the changes commencing.
We continue to thank all our members and visitors for their patience, and for continuing to keep our staff and visitors safe.

Saturday 4th June 2016

A damp grey and very misty day, with brief sunny interlude which prompted the appearance of several butterfly species including Painted Lady, Green Hairstreak and Brown Argus. Birds of note included a reeling Grasshopper Warbler and a pair of Med Gulls. A Cetti's Warbler was singing regularly in front of the Obs, a sound clip is available below. Click the play button to hear the song, a Common Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Black-headed Gull can also be heard.


Singing Cetti's Warbler - Holme Bird Obs, June 2016

A very murky morning at Walsey Hills gave way to bright sunshine in the afternoon. The female Red-backed Shrike present since Thursday was again seen to the south of Snipe's Marsh and on the reserve, with a constant stream of other species mobbing it. The best of the rest included a Red Kite and a Mediterranean Gull high over.

Interest otherwise was drawn to the migrant Lepidoptera on show with several thousand Diamond-back Moths present around the reserve and surrounding field edges; 22 Silver Ys and 2 Painted Lady butterflies also of note. Resident species present included 2 Wall Browns, 2 Speckled Woods and a Holly Blue.