A cool, breezy and rather damp day with showers and heavy rain in the afternoon. A large mixed group of Swifts and hirundines was out in the middle of the marsh during the day, with at least 7 Swifts, 20+ House Martins, a Sand Martin and 6 Swallows counted. A few waders were also to be found, with 6+ Black-tailed Godwits and 4+ Ruff to be seen. A Cuckoo was in the paddocks in the morning and 4 Whimbrel flew over calling. The two Black Swans of unknown origin were on the east end of Holme village.
Moths were very scant today with just 3 Muslins, 2 Shuttle-shaped Darts and a Northern Drab to be found in the traps, and no butterflies were observed.
Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Hobby flew NW over Grimston at c1.30pm
Norfolk 3.Spotted Redshanks Burgh Castle
Norfolk Montagu's Harrier fem flew north over Felmingham at midday
Norfolk Osprey 1.5mls south of Thetford flew over Nunnery Lakes NR
Norfolk Spoonbill flew west over Blakeney Freshmarsh
Norfolk Great White Egret y'day Blakeney Freshmarsh still
Norfolk Ring Ouzel fem NW of Horsford at Haveringland
Holme Bird Observatory (Header)
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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.
