Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – NOA RESERVES REMAIN CLOSED AT PRESENT All NOA reserves remain closed at present, and following the lifting of some restrictions in England we would ask our members, visitors and volunteers to be patient while this situation continues. We are still some way from being able to provide a COVID secure environment for our staff and visitors, and any changes must be gradual, cautious and enable social distancing. Broadwater Road is currently closed, and the Beach Road Car Park is also closed. We would advise that parking and toilet facilities are not yet widely available. NWT Holme Dunes, Titchwell and Snettisham RSPB reserves also remain closed, and do not yet have a date for opening their car parks and other visitor facilities. Please also bear in mind that we are now in the middle of the breeding season. Birds which have been nesting undisturbed while visitors have stayed away need this situation to continue until their young have fledged. For similar reasons affecting land managers along the North Norfolk Coast AONB, their Re-opening the Norfolk Coast Working Group is asking people not to visit at this time until organisations have had a chance to put safety measures in place for social distancing and reopen provision such as toilets and car parks. Announcements will be made by individual organisations and businesses when this is the case, so please check before you travel, and don’t come at present. NOA hopes to offer some form of access at its reserves later this summer, but it could still be some weeks away and will remain limited while we find our ‘new normal’. Please bear with us, and we thank you again for your understanding and support

Holme Bird Observatory Monday 20th April 2020

A strong north-east breeze increasing through the day left things very quiet on the reserve with relatively few birds singing. A Whimbrel flew over calling and 2 Cuckoos were in the dunes during the morning. Two Whitethroats were also heard. A light passage of Swallows was noted during the early afternoon with 20 seen flying east along the Broadwater and grazing marsh.

In the moth trap cold winds had reduced the catch to just two moths; Small Quaker and Pine Beauty. In sheltered spots there were still plenty of butterflies with 12+ Green Hairstreaks seen around the reserve, a Speckled Wood, 2 Green-veined Whites and an Orange Tip noted. A further 2 Emperor Moths hatched during the day.

Speckled Wood, Pine Beauty and male Emperor Moth





Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Osprey west of Norwich till 12.32pm at Colney GPs then flew north
Norfolk 8.Arctic Terns flew east past Weybourne Camp 7.15-10.15am
Norfolk Osprey west of Norwich at Colney GPs at 12.31pm
Norfolk Ring Ouzel Wymondham still 12.04pm in 3rd paddock north of abbey along Tiffey Walk
Norfolk Ring Ouzel Wymondham in 3rd paddock north of abbey along Tiffey Walk at 11.05am
Norfolk Black Redstart fem/1w.male y'day between Blakeney +Morston still in field south of coastal path. male.Pied Fly on SW side of Kettlehill Plantation briefly 5pm
Norfolk 18.Arctic Terns flew NE over Felbrigg Park at 7.04am. male.Redstart Aylmerton in village
Norfolk 18.Arctic Terns flew NE over Felbrigg Park at 7.04am. male.Redstart Aylmerton in village
Norfolk Curlew Sand Breydon Water