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 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