Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – NOA RESERVES REMAIN CLOSED AT PRESENT All NOA reserves remain closed at present, and following the lifting of some restrictions in England we would ask our members, visitors and volunteers to be patient while this situation continues. We are still some way from being able to provide a COVID secure environment for our staff and visitors, and any changes must be gradual, cautious and enable social distancing. Broadwater Road is currently closed, and the Beach Road Car Park is also closed. We would advise that parking and toilet facilities are not yet widely available. NWT Holme Dunes, Titchwell and Snettisham RSPB reserves also remain closed, and do not yet have a date for opening their car parks and other visitor facilities. Please also bear in mind that we are now in the middle of the breeding season. Birds which have been nesting undisturbed while visitors have stayed away need this situation to continue until their young have fledged. For similar reasons affecting land managers along the North Norfolk Coast AONB, their Re-opening the Norfolk Coast Working Group is asking people not to visit at this time until organisations have had a chance to put safety measures in place for social distancing and reopen provision such as toilets and car parks. Announcements will be made by individual organisations and businesses when this is the case, so please check before you travel, and don’t come at present. NOA hopes to offer some form of access at its reserves later this summer, but it could still be some weeks away and will remain limited while we find our ‘new normal’. Please bear with us, and we thank you again for your understanding and support

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