A day of forecast rain proved remarkably dry throughout but produced some interest as the day wore on. Between the beach, Thornham Harbour and the pools on the reserve counts included 2 Spoonbills, Great White Egret, 4 Greenshanks, 6 Snipe, 98 Dunlin, 125 Golden Plovers, 7 Grey Plovers, 8 Black-tailed Godwits and 86 Bar-tailed Godwits. Moving through and joining local birds were around 80 Swallow whilst 480 Starlings were over the grazing marsh and roosting on the sand and feeding offshore were around 230 Common Terns and 270 Sandwich Terns.
The moth traps were fairly quiet and a Painted Lady proved the most interesting invertebrate sighting of the day.
Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk 11.Spoonbills Titchwell RSPB again on freshmarsh +2 Little Gulls +2 Spotted Redshanks
Norfolk 2 Little Gulls Breydon Water +880.Med Gulls
Norfolk Caspian Gull juv yesterday Cley NWT again from Daukes' Hide in evening Wood Sandpiper Salthouse still by Beach Road then lew west
Norfolk 3 Spotted Redshanks Breydon Water at east end
Norfolk Baird's Sandpiper ad still potter Heigham Marshes on middle pool + 2 Little Stints
Norfolk Great White Egret Welney WWT on Lady Fen
Norfolk Garganey juv Strumpshaw Fen RSPB still from Tower Hide
Norfolk Great White Egret Holme Dunes NWT still on Hun Pool
Norfolk BAIRD'S SANDPIPER ad still 2.05 Potter Heigham Marshes on 1st pool by track +3 Little Stints
Norfolk Black Redstart Weybourne Camp this morning +4.Little Gulls flew past
Norfolk 3 Spoonbills Thornham Harbour
Norfolk Black Tern flew past Sheringham
Norfolk Wood Sandpiper Buckenham Marshes RSPB still on pool by wind pump this evening
Norfolk Great White Egret Thornham Harbour
Norfolk 2.Caspian Gulls (ad and 2s) Cley NWT again from Daukes' Hide this evening +Garganey +Spoonbill
Holme Bird Observatory (Header)
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COVID Update Monday 17th May 2021
From Monday 17th May 2021 the NOA is pleased to re-open its reserve hides to single households at a time. We will still be advising the wearing of a face covering when in NOA hides. Your continued understanding and support is very much appreciated.
Trial of Booking System for NWT Holme Dunes From Saturday 24th April
Owing to recent visitor numbers, NWT Holme Dunes Reserve is trialling a booking system for its Car Park. Until 6th September 2021 those members and visitors wishing to park in the NWT Car Park will need to book online for Weekends, Bank Holidays, or in School Holidays to ensure they can get a place. Booking is not necessary outside these times, and is not required for access to any other part of the reserve. Parking remains free for NWT members and blue badge holders.
This may affect many of our members, and we would like to clarify that NOA members do not need to book to use the NOA car park at any time between dawn and dusk. For NOA members who also belong to NWT and wish to visit both reserves, please park in the NOA car park if you do not wish to book in advance for the Holme Dunes Reserve Car Park.
