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 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.

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