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 Sunday 10th May 2020

A rough north north-east wind dominated today with little sign of migration and many birds keeping to cover. A brief look at the sea produced 2 Common Terns east with a further two along the Broadwater and 2 Sandwich Terns flying the same way. A Spoonbill flew east over the grazing marsh and 75 Black-tailed Godwits were on the southern side. A Common Sandpiper was still on the edge of Broadwater and an immature Med Gull was of interest. A Cuckoo was calling first thing but soon gave up on its exploits! A Swallow and 9 House Martins were flying low in a sheltered spot at the east end of Holme village, and a Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroats, 6 Sedge Warblers, a Reed Warbler and a Bullfinch were counted.

There were no butterflies, but the overcast and warm night still produced come decent moths, including 2 Eyed Hawk Moths, a Small Elephant Hawk, 6 Northern Drabs, 8 Muslins, 10 Cinnabars, 2 Small Waved Umbers, a Ruby Tiger, a Yellow Belle, 3 Iron Prominents, 4 White Ermines, 2 Green Carpets, a Least Black Arches, 3 Treble Lines, a Bordered White, a Shears, Marbled Minor sp, Heart and Dart and Flame Shoulder.

Shears and Marbled Minor sp

 
 
Angle-barred Pug


 
 
Iron Prominent



Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk presumed escaped American Kestrel ad.male still 2mls W of Marham at Shouldham 200yds NW of bowling club in paddock N of Warren Oaks [bird is tame +there have been several escapes in recent years]. Don't enter paddock TF.675.095
Norfolk Short-eared Owl Cley NWT +7.Spoonbills
Norfolk Spoonbill y'day Blakeney Freshmarsh +2.Arctic Terns
Norfolk no sign of Great Reed Warbler Cley NWT north of visitor centre early morning
Norfolk Black Redstart male singing Norwich at St.Stephens Square then flew to Coburg Street
Norfolk Quail male singing y'day Cawston at Eastgate at 6pm
Norfolk Ruddy Shelduck y'day 1.5mls south of Thetford at Nunnery Lakes NR