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 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.
