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 4th May 2020

Another springlike day, starting off misty and overcast with sunny spells later in the day. A Green Sandpiper flew over the marsh in the morning and a Common Tern was fishing over the Broadwater. Five Whimbrel and 2 Curlew were on the grazing marsh, and 11 Black-tailed Godwits were on the NWT pools. Two Cuckoos were heard during the day, and 2 Swifts, 3 Swallows, 10 House Martins, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Willow Warblers, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, 7 Sedge Warblers and a Reed Warbler were counted around the recording area. A Red Kite was drifting east over the marsh and at least 13 Pochard were on the edge of Broadwater.

Moths in the traps were a Small Waved Umber, Cinnabar, 2 Cochylis atricapitana, 2 Heart & Dart, a Small Elephant Hawk, Angle Shades, 5 Muslin, a Treble Lines, Chocolate Tip and a Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet. Five Green Long-horn Moths were at the west end of the reserve in the afternoon.

Butterflies included 10 Green Hairstreaks, a Red Admiral, 5 Orange Tips, 3 Green-veined White, a Large White and 2 Small Coppers.

A newly hatched Broad-bodied Chaser was near the Dell.

Below: Dark-barred Twin Spot Carpet, Treble Lines, and dust-bathing Pheasant





Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
For all this news, in the field as it happens, subscribe to Rare Bird Alert for as little as 14p per day
Norfolk report of White-tailed Eagle Ditchingham was a hoax
Norfolk White-tailed Eagle ad (ringed +wing-tagged) 3/4ml north of Ditchingham at Belsey Bridge on pole at 8am then flew off
Norfolk Garganey Hockwold Washes early morning
Norfolk Garganey Welney WWT still +Great White Egret still. Y'day Short-eared Owl
Norfolk 3.Common Cranes flew SE over Felbrigg at 10.32am
Norfolk Osprey Colney GPs at 10.45am
Norfolk Osprey Norwich flew south over New Costessey at 10.30am
Norfolk 3.Common Cranes flew west over Northrepps mid morning