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 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 Friday 15th May 2020

A day of lovely sunshine and light winds, there was a light passage of hirundines today with at least 30 Swallows trickling west and 3 Sand Martins and 2 House Martins among them. A single Golden Plover was on the grazing marsh with 3 Whimbrel, and 2 Cuckoos were calling on and off throughout the day. A Cetti's Warbler, 2 Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Grasshopper Warbler were heard, with 10 Sedge and 3 Reed Warblers also noted. The colour-ringed Stonechat was on the east bank and 5 Wheatears, a Tree Sparrow and 3 Yellow Wagtails were also of interest.
 
Moths were a Small Elephant Hawk, Small Waved Umber, Northern Drab, Muslin, Heart & Dart, White Ermine, Buff Tip, Flame Shoulder and Grey Pine Carpet. Butterflies were numerous with Brown Argus, Small Copper, Small Heath, Green Hairstreak, Orange Tip, Red Admiral, Wall Brown and Speckled Wood all noted today. A Hairy Hawker was around the pond in the morning but wouldn't sit still, so a photo of the Tamarisk in full flower, and the Small Waved Umber on the side of the ringing shed, are included.


 
Below: Small Waved Umber
 


Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk 2.BEE-EATERS flew west over Kelling Quags early morning
Norfolk 2.BEE-EATERS still 8.28am Cley NWT flew west over West Bank
Norfolk 2.BEE-EATERS Cley NWT flew west over East Bank 100yds north of A149 at 8.25am
Norfolk probable Red-necked Phal Cley NWT east of East Bank on Popes Pool (drk.Garganey North Marsh at 8.15am)
Norfolk Turtle Dove male singing y'day Setchey still at factory