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 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