Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

This is a polite reminder to all our members that our subscription rates have increased from 1st January. If you pay by standing order and have not yet done so, please amend your standing order to the new rate. More details can be found here. We are small charity reliant on the generosity of our supporters through membership subscriptions and donations. Why not become a member. For a minimum of £25 you can get all the benefits of being a member of the NOA. Just click the button on the right below. Or, if you would like to support us with a donation, it is very easy to do through our portal at VirginMoneyGiving. Just click the button on the right to go to our dedicated page. Thank you.

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 Saturday 9th May 2020

Hazy sunshine throughout, but with a strengthening north-east breeze.

Highlights today were 30 Common Scoter offshore, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank , 9 Whimbrel, 87 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Common Terns, 2 Med Gulls, 2 Turtle Doves, 3 Cuckoos, a Barn Owl, 6 Swifts, a Hobby, 12 Swallows, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, a Grasshopper Warbler, 15 Sedge Warblers, 5 Reed Warblers, a Wheatear and a single Yellow Wagtail.

Around the reserve 2 Brown Argus, 3 Small Copper, 4 Wall Brown, 7 Green Hairstreak, 6 Orange Tip, 3 Green-veined White, 2 Large White and a Brimstone were recorded today, with a Large Red Damselfly at the pond.

Moths were very numerous today with 30 species recorded. New for the year were Pale Prominent, Turnip, Bordered White, Fern, Red Twin-spot Carpet, Sallow Kitten, Breckland Plume and Mottled Pug.

Below: Pale Prominent, Sallow Kitten, Bordered White, Breckland Plume, Fern, Mottled Pug and Red Twin-spot Carpet.










Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Whinchat Cley by Beach Road
Norfolk Great White Egret Heacham South Beach. 2.drk.Scaup on The Wash
Norfolk Spoonbill Heacham South Beach +2.Wood Sands 2.Turtle Doves
Norfolk 2.Wood Sands 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes at 10am +2.Common Cranes
Norfolk 4.Wood Sands Snettisham at Ken Hill Marsh +3.Turtle Doves
Norfolk possible Black Kite SW of Norwich flew SSW over Eaton late morning
Norfolk BLACK KITE reported y'day Great Ellingham at 3.40pm then flew NE
Norfolk Wryneck Potter Heigham at Marsh Road at 8.45am (Spoonbill flew NW at 7.30am)
Norfolk Golden Oriole fem/1s.male flew west over West Runton at 7.08am
Norfolk Turtle Dove y'day Saddlebow flew north over power station at 7.45am
Norfolk Quail male singing near Grimston Warren in field south of Church Farm
Norfolk Black Redstart male singing Norwich at Westlegate still