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.

Tuesday 23rd January 2018

An early morning sea-watch produced a count of 32 Great -crested Grebes on the sea. Large numbers of Teal and Wigeon remained around the Broadwater, at least a thousand birds, with a small arrival of around 200 Pink-feet joining them mid afternoon. Two Peregrines were hunting over the grazing marsh and a pair of Stonechats were along the East bank. The flock of 22 Twite were again at Thornham Harbour. There was no sign of the Waxwing but the Fieldfares remained around the Buckthorn areas on the reserves.

Fieldfare on the Buckthorn. Gary Elton

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERTFor all this news, in the field as it happens, subscribe to Rare Bird Alert for as little as 14p per day
Norfolk Glaucous Gull juv Salthouse flew west past north end of Beach Road at 2.20pm
Norfolk 50+Snow Buntings Salthouse still at Gramborough Hill this a'noon
Norfolk no sign of any Bewick's Swans between Ingham +Sea Palling behind Causeway Farm Butchers this a'noon but 6.Whooper Swans
Norfolk COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL 1ml W.of Holt still just S.of Letheringsett 100yds from ford at 12.40pm tho mobile. From A148 take Riverside Rd signed Letheringsett Mill +park on verge just before ford +view from start of track TG.062.383
Norfolk Great White Egret west of Norwich flew over A47 Norwich bypass by River Yare early a'noon
Norfolk 4.Waxwings Gorleston near Beacon Park at Carrel Road this a'noon then flew towards hospital
Norfolk Great White Egret Holkham NNR still from Washington Hide at 12.45pm +Bittern
Norfolk 2.Waxwings Gorleston at Beacon Park then flew to trees south of Carrel Road
Norfolk 9.Shorelarks Holkham Bay still 12.10pm on saltmarsh 1/2ml east of Holkham Gap
Norfolk 11.Russian White-fronted Geese Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Norfolk 11.Bewick's Swans between Ingham +Sea Palling behind Causeway Farm Butchers at 10.45am
Norfolk Iceland Gull juv Cromer still on east side of golf course on practice green near church at 11.45am
Norfolk 9.Shorelarks Holkham Bay still on saltmarsh 1/2ml east of Holkham Gap at 11am
Norfolk Velvet Scoter Titchwell RSPB still +6.Long-tailed Ducks Spotted Redshank
Norfolk Hen Harrier male Cranwich Heath at 10.56am
Norfolk 22.Twite Thornham Harbour still 10.48am
Norfolk 10.Hawfinches Great Massingham at churchyard
Norfolk Black Redstart ad.male still Sheringham at RNLI car park at 9.55am +showing well TG.155.434
Norfolk Glaucous Gull juv Mundesley still on beach below car park at 10.12am