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 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
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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