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.

Holme Bird Observatory Friday 1st May 2020

An improving day, with some warm sunny spells. A rather quiet day but a Cuckoo was calling in the village, and 6 Whimbrel and 8 Black-tailed Godwits were at the back of the marsh, while a mixed group of Swifts and hirundines was still to be found at the east end of the village, with one of the mystery Black Swans there also. Five Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 4 Whitethroats, 10 Sedge and 2 Reed Warblers were counted and a Wheatear was south of the river Hun.

Butterflies were seen in the afternoon with single Peacock and Green Hairstreak, and at least 2 Green-veined Whites.

After a cold damp night there were very few moths, with just singles of Shuttle-shaped Dart, White Ermine and Northern Drab in the traps. However during the day a colony of Green Long-horn moths were dancing around near the Dell Hide. This attractive species with its iridescent black wings and incredibly long antennae can easily be overlooked but is well worth closer examination.

Green Long-horn Moths



Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk 2.Common Cranes east of Norwich still 3.12pm over Whitlingham Ctry Park
Norfolk 2.Common Cranes east of Norwich at Thorpe St.Andrew over Thorpe Marsh at 3.07pm
Norfolk Turtle Dove Heacham South Beach +Ring Ouzel
Norfolk Great Northern Diver flew east past Weybourne Camp 6.30-8.30am
Norfolk BLACK KITE 1ml east of Cley just south of Walsey Hills NOA flew SE at 10.17am