Another dry and sunny spring day with a increasing easterly breeze, but rather quiet with little evidence of much new migration at the site. A flock of 80 Brent Geese were flying over Lavender Marsh and 5 Pink-feet were still south of the Broadwater. Offshore 2 Sandwich Terns passed by and at the Obs a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard in the pines while a single Swallow flew east along the east bank and 2 Cetti's Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler, 6 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler and 2 Blackcaps were noted. A Lesser Whitethroat was also heard along the east bank.
With the nights still cold in the high pressure conditions, moths were rather sparse but a few encouraging species; a single Muslin, Shuttle-shaped Dart and Hebrew Character accompanied by 2 Small Quakers. During the day several more Emperors of both sexes had hatched from the native brood! Butterflies today included 7 Green Hairstreaks, 3 Green-veined Whites, 5 Orange Tips, a Speckled Wood, and 3 Peacocks.
Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Great White Egret Blakeney Freshmarsh still this morning
Norfolk Hen Harrier ringtail flew NW over Felmingham this morning
Norfolk 2.Ring Ouzels Roydon Common NNR this a'noon
Norfolk 9.Little Gulls (8.ads +1w) Breydon Water flew east past South Wall +Spotted Redshank
Norfolk Ring Ouzel fem near Weybourne
Norfolk BLACK KITE y'day near Briston then flew NW
Norfolk 2.Ring Ouzels between Stalham +East Ruston still in paddocks north of Weavers' Way 1/4ml west of Stepping Stone Lane
Norfolk 2.Ring Ouzels Thorpe-next-Haddiscoe Marshes still mid morning
Norfolk Ring Ouzel male Hickling in paddocks along Sea Palling road at 10am
Norfolk Great White Egret Welney WWT still
Norfolk 9+Ring Ouzels West Runton
Norfolk 2.Great White Egrets y'day Blakeney Freshmarsh
Norfolk 3.Ring Ouzels (2.males) Limpenhoe in paddocks east of Marsh Road mid morning
Norfolk 2.Ring Ouzels (both males) Limpenhoe in paddocks east of Marsh Road then flew NE
Norfolk 3.Ring Ouzels y'day Thorpe-next-Haddiscoe Marshes at 7pm +Short-eared Owl
Holme Bird Observatory (Header)
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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – Tuesday 29th DECEMBER 2020
Further to the announcement of a Tier 4 (Stay at home) lockdown in Norfolk, the NOA has closed all hides on its nature reserves. While we would discourage anyone from travelling too far during this crucial time, our reserves themselves will remain open for local visitors and usual charges will apply for non-members. Please follow government advice, and respect social distancing at all times. We will restore access to our facilities as and when government restrictions permit.
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