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 22nd May 2020

A rough south-west wind kept many birds hunkered down, though sunshine dominated in the afternoon. A group of 11 Brent Geese flew east towards Thornham mid-morning and 2 Sandwich and 2 Common Terns flew west along the Broadwater. There was a marked passage of Swifts west during the day, with many seen over the pines and grazing marshes. Four Swallows and a House Martin were also noted around the village with Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroats, 7 Sedge and 2 Reed Warblers also seen.

Moths were the highlight of the day with 35 species recorded. There were singles of Poplar, Eyed and Privet Hawk, 6 Small Elephant Hawks, a male Fox Moth, Scalloped Hazel, a Flame Wainscot, 5 Sand Darts, an Iron Prominent, one White Colon, a Buff Tip, Grey Pine Carpet, Dark Brocade, 2 Brown Rustics and a Spectacle among the catch.

Below: Privet Hawk Moth, Scalloped Hazel, Fox Moth, Flame Wainscot






Butterflies were scarce in the strong winds but 8+ Brown Argus were counted and a Common Blue was of note as well. A Four-spotted Chaser was on the pond.

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Norfolk Garganey Welney WWT still +Great White Egret still
Norfolk Spoonbill Cley NWT on North Scrape
Norfolk Great White Egret Hickling Broad NWT still
Norfolk RED-THROATED PIPIT West Runton briefly c6.30am then flew west