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
For all this news, in the field as it happens, subscribe to Rare Bird Alert for as little as 14p per day
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)
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 HIDES RE-OPENING FROM MONDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2020
The NOA is opening hides on all reserves to members again from 14th September 2020. There are still some restrictions and please be aware that these are: Face coverings will be required in all NOA hides until further notice, unless you are exempt for wearing them. Only 2 people from different households may use any hide at one time. A single household of more than two people is permitted, provided no-one else is using it. We are still not able to admit visitors inside the Observatory centre at present. We regret the inconvenience to all our members and visitors caused by the loss of use of these facilities during the first five months of the COVID-19 outbreak. Please be considerate of the restrictions we have put in place, allowing us to restore access as safely as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
