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 Sunday 17th May 2020

A sunny day with a westerly breeze, birds of note today included two Hobbies out over the grazing marsh and a single Whimbrel south of the Hun. Three Cuckoos were heard and 15 Swifts, 20 Swallows and 10 House Martins were counted. Five Chiffchaffs, 2 Willow Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Whitethroats 9 Sedge Warblers and a Reed Warbler were also recorded, and a Tree Pipit flew over calling.

There was a good range of moths overnight, with 19 Cinnabars, Vines and Mottled Rustic, 2 Northern Drabs, 3 Small Elephant Hawks, Brimstone, Eyed Hawk Moth, Buff Tip, Pine Beauty, Least Black Arches, Bordered White, 4 White Ermine, 2 Angle-barred Pug, 2 Green Carpets, a Small Waved Umber, 2 Breckland Plumes, Common Pug, Garden Pebble, 3 Treble Lines, 3 Heart and Darts, a Flame and a Dwarf Pug recorded.

Right: Dwarf Pug



Butterflies included Brown Argus, Small Heath, Green Hairstreak, Orange Tip, Wall Brown, Green-veined White and Common Blue.

An Azure Damselfly was on the edge of the village.



Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Purple Heron 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes flew NW near old windmill at 2.25pm +lost to view. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk 2.Dotterel reported still 1.5mls south of Titchwell at Choseley south of drying barns in field west of righthand bend in road this morning but no further sign
Norfolk Little Gull 1s Burnham Overy Dunes at 1st big pool by track at 12.22pm
Norfolk Garganey drk Buckenham Marshes RSPB still 10.50am
Norfolk RED-FOOTED FALCON ad.male y'day Hemsby at Long Beach Estate flew in off sea
Norfolk Temminck's Stint just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance at 9.25am (+2+Wood Sands still). Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk BLACK KITE Salthouse flew SSW over saltmarsh between Meadow Lane +Gramborough Hill at 8.55am
Norfolk 3.Dotterel (2.fems) y'day 1.5mls south of Titchwell at Choseley south of drying barns in field west of righthand bend in road in evng
Norfolk Cattle Egret y'day Holkham from A149