Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

This is a polite reminder to all our members that our subscription rates have increased from 1st January. If you pay by standing order and have not yet done so, please amend your standing order to the new rate. More details can be found here. We are small charity reliant on the generosity of our supporters through membership subscriptions and donations. Why not become a member. For a minimum of £25 you can get all the benefits of being a member of the NOA. Just click the button on the right below. Or, if you would like to support us with a donation, it is very easy to do through our portal at VirginMoneyGiving. Just click the button on the right to go to our dedicated page. Thank you.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – NOA HIDES RE-OPENING FROM MONDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2020

The NOA is opening hides on all reserves to members again from 14th September 2020. There are still some restrictions and please be aware that these are: Face coverings will be required in all NOA hides until further notice, unless you are exempt for wearing them. Only 2 people from different households may use any hide at one time. A single household of more than two people is permitted, provided no-one else is using it. We are still not able to admit visitors inside the Observatory centre at present. We regret the inconvenience to all our members and visitors caused by the loss of use of these facilities during the first five months of the COVID-19 outbreak. Please be considerate of the restrictions we have put in place, allowing us to restore access as safely as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

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.