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.

Holme Bird Observatory Wednesday 22nd April 2020

With the wind easy just a touch, there were signs of more migration taking place with Swallow numbers reaching double figures and at least four Sand Martins noted. A Woodlark appeared early morning stopping to sing briefly from the east bank before continuing east, followed a short while later by a Tree Pipit, again heading east. Three Green Sandpipers flew noisily in, choosing to rest on the edge of the Broadwater before continuing their journey onwards. Cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler and Wheatear were amongst the species noted present again and a two Red Kites and two Spoonbills moved east across the Grazing Marsh.
Noteworthy insects included the first Wall Brown Butterfly and a Large Red Damselfly.

One of today's Wheatears

Red Kite

 
Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Ring Ouzel fem between Stalham +East Ruston still in paddocks north of Weavers' Way 1/4ml west of Stepping Stone Lane
Norfolk PALLID HARRIER juv Sheringham flew east over golf course at c7.40am then over Beeston Bump
Norfolk PALLID HARRIER juv flew east over Weybourne Camp at 7.28am
Norfolk Ring Ouzel fem Poringland along Dove Lane this morning
Norfolk Spoonbill y'day Cley NWT on Pope's Marsh
Norfolk 14.Bar-tailed Godwits flew NE over Felmingham early morning
Norfolk BLACK-WINGED STILT y'day Welney WWT from road
Norfolk Hen Harrier ringtail y'day Roydon Common NNR
Norfolk Short-eared Owl y'day King's Lynn over fields between Spring Wood +Reffley Resr at 7.30pm cTF.647.213