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 Monday 18th May 2020

A breezy but warm day, with a Red Kite drifting low over the Observatory mid morning, 2 Cuckoos, 6 Swifts, 25 Swallows, 10 House Martins and 3 Yellow Wagtails passing overhead. Offshore 10 Sandwich Terns were fishing and around the recording area 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Whitethroats, 12 Sedge and 1 Reed Warbler were singing. A Bullfinch was in Holme village.

Moths were numerous today with 29 species in the traps. Highlights were 10 Small Elephant Hawks, 2 Eyed Hawks, a Poplar Hawk, 9 Cinnabar, 2 Buff Tips, 5 Muslin, a Coxcomb Prominent, 2 Dark Sword-grass, a Knot Grass, Pebble Prominent and a tardy Hebrew Character.

Top to bottom: Poplar Hawk Moth, Pebble Prominent, Coxcomb Prominent, Dark Sword-grass






Butterflies included Brimstone, 7 Brown Argus, 2 Small Heath, Peacock, Small White, 2 Common Blues and 5 Wall Browns.

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Swallowtail butterfly Cley south of sewage works at 12.05pm
Norfolk Turtle Dove east of Wells at Blue Skies Campsite mid morning
Norfolk Little Gull 1s SE of Downham Market still at Wissington beet factory at 10.02am
Plantation at 6.40am but no further sign by 9.07am
Norfolk no sign of any Dotterel 1.5mls south of Titchwell at Choseley south of drying barns in field west of righthand bend in road by 8am