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.

Holme Bird Observatory Friday 24th April 2020

A cooler day with some mist coming in off the sea particularly in the morning. Warm sunshine won in the end! At Thornham Harbour 40+ Brent Geese were on the saltmarsh and at the morning high tide 29 Ringed Plovers had gathered. Four Whimbrel were feeding near Staithe Lane. Four Little Terns and 6 Sandwich Terns passed offshore, and 8 Golden Plover, six in summer plumage, landed at the back of the fresh marsh. Four Ruff also coming into summer plumage were also noted on the freshmarsh together with 20+ Avocets. A Cuckoo was calling from Thornham village. A Barn Owl was hunting along the approach track and 6 Swallows passed over, with 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 14 Sedge and 2 Reed Warblers counted in the recording area, while 2 Stonechats were of note.

Moths were sparse today in the cool wind, with 2 Northern Drabs, 2 Muslins, a Powdered Quaker and Shuttle-shaped Dart. A Large Red Damselfly was at the pond and two newts were active there, with 4 Green Hairstreaks also counted.

Below: Northern Drab, Powdered Quaker and Smooth Newt





Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Ring Ouzel Heacham South Beach this morningNorfolk Long-tailed Duck Cley flew west past beach car park
Norfolk Osprey flew west over Thornham Marsh late morning
Norfolk 2.Common Cranes flew west over Brundall at 11.40am
Norfolk 2.Common Cranes flew west over Rockland Broad late morning
Norfolk Short-eared Owl flew NE over Felmingham early morning
Norfolk Wryneck still Cley NWT by footpath then flew east of Old Woman's Lane +showing well (+Great White Egret Spoonbill)
Norfolk 2.Common Cranes Norwich flew NW over city centre
Norfolk Hen Harrier male y'day near Chedgrave flew over Langley at midday