Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – NOA RESERVES REMAIN CLOSED AT PRESENT All NOA reserves remain closed at present, and following the lifting of some restrictions in England we would ask our members, visitors and volunteers to be patient while this situation continues. We are still some way from being able to provide a COVID secure environment for our staff and visitors, and any changes must be gradual, cautious and enable social distancing. Broadwater Road is currently closed, and the Beach Road Car Park is also closed. We would advise that parking and toilet facilities are not yet widely available. NWT Holme Dunes, Titchwell and Snettisham RSPB reserves also remain closed, and do not yet have a date for opening their car parks and other visitor facilities. Please also bear in mind that we are now in the middle of the breeding season. Birds which have been nesting undisturbed while visitors have stayed away need this situation to continue until their young have fledged. For similar reasons affecting land managers along the North Norfolk Coast AONB, their Re-opening the Norfolk Coast Working Group is asking people not to visit at this time until organisations have had a chance to put safety measures in place for social distancing and reopen provision such as toilets and car parks. Announcements will be made by individual organisations and businesses when this is the case, so please check before you travel, and don’t come at present. NOA hopes to offer some form of access at its reserves later this summer, but it could still be some weeks away and will remain limited while we find our ‘new normal’. Please bear with us, and we thank you again for your understanding and support

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