An excellent day of migration. A Barn Owl was along the approach road at dawn and on the sea 120 Common Scoters, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers, 250+ Gannets, 18 Great Crested Grebes, a Razorbill, 5 Sandwich Terns and a Kittiwake were recorded. Raptors included a Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Buzzards, a Marsh Harrier and a Peregrine. Three Water Rails were calling around the Broadwater and 2 Tawny owls were in the pines. A Whimbrel and 28 Curlew were also counted. Most numerous today were Goldcrests with at least 350 present. 5 Cetti's Warblers, a Yellow-browed Warbler, 10 Chiffchaffs, 8 Blackcaps, 2 Reed Warblers, a Ring Ouzel, a Fieldfare, 25 Song Thrushes, 100 Redwings, 80 Robins, a male Stonechat, 3 Grey Wagtails, 65 Meadow Pipits, 2 Rock Pipits, 15 Bramblings, 3 Redpolls, 10 Siskins and a Yellowhammer were also recorded.
In the moth trap Black Rustic, Lunar Underwing, Feathere Ranunculus and Large Wainscot were counted, and in the afternoon sunshine Common and Ruddy Darter were around the Obs together with several Migrant Hawkers.
Holme Bird Observatory (Header)
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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – NOA RESERVES TO RE-OPEN FROM MONDAY 13TH JULY 2020
We are delighted to announce that we will be welcoming visitors back to Holme Bird Observatory from Monday 13th July 2020, and we are very much looking forward to seeing you once again. Thank you to all our members and visitors for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Please be aware that we are not yet able to restore full access.
Some restrictions must continue and these are as follows: Hempton Marsh and Walsey Hills reserves will be re-opening to visitors on 13th July, but hides on these reserves will remain closed. At Holme the following hides will remain closed for the time being: Redwell Marsh hide, Car Park hide, Sea-watching hide, Dell hide and Broadwater hide. The Bus-Stop, Dowson and Richardson hides will be accessible to one household at a time, and the viewing platform and seating area outside the cordon will be available as well, with social distancing in place. The Observatory building will also remain closed to visitors, but a member of staff will be able to come out to meet you. We do regret that for now visitors will not be able to empty moth traps with our staff, but we will retain specimens of special interest for visitors to view at a safe distance. We will continue to charge day permit fees.
We are very sorry not to offer a fuller visitor experience just yet, but these measures are for everyone's safety and we do appreciate your understanding. We will continue to review hide closures, and will post any changes on our website.
