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 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