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 3rd May 2020

A calm and mild day but with light rain in the afternoon. Another rather quiet day for migrants with a Red Kite drifting south over the pines mid morning and on the grazing marsh 4 Golden Plover and 6+ Whimbrel were still present. Four Swifts were over the marshes and a House Martin at the east end of the village, with at least 4 Cetti's Warblers in fine voice and 5 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whitethroats, 12 Sedge Warblers and 3 Reed Warblers counted around the recording area. A pair of Bullfinches was also of interest. A Tawny Owl flew across the reserve mid afternoon, and 2 Spoonbills flew east over the Broadwater.

The moth traps were productive with several new species for the year. The total catch was; a Chocolate Tip, Swallow Prominent, Heart & Dart, Green Carpet, Light Brown Apple Moth, Cochylis atricapitana, Isotrias rectifascianus, White Ermine, Water Carpet, 2 Small Elephant Hawk, 3 Northern Drab and 6 Muslin.

Below: Green Carpet, Heart and Dart, Small Elephant Hawk and Water Carpet




 
 
A further surprise was in the Observatory, when one of last year's Eyed Hawk Moth cocoons hatched!






Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
For all this news, in the field as it happens, subscribe to Rare Bird Alert for as little as 14p per day
Norfolk Great White Egret Blakeney Freshmarsh still at Great Barnett at 10am
Norfolk Spoonbill Heacham South Beach +4.Turtle Doves
Norfolk Great White Egret y'day Blakeney Freshmarsh still
Norfolk no sign of any Dotterel 1.5mls south of Southery +east of A10 at Sedge Fen by Sedge Fen Road in field near Sedge Fen Farm early a'noon
Norfolk 3.Turtle Doves Snettisham Coastal Park
Norfolk Wood Sand Cley NWT
Norfolk 8.Dotterel 1.5mls south of Southery +east of A10 at Sedge Fen by Sedge Fen Road in field near Sedge Fen Farm
Norfolk Osprey flew north over Stoke Holy Cross at 9.45am