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 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 Thursday 14th May 2020

A pleasant sunny day with light winds. A group of 30 Brent Geese flew east into Thornham Harbour, and a Spoonbill was asleep on the edge of the Broadwater mid morning. At least 3 Whimbrel and 100+ Black-tailed Godwits were on grazing marsh, and at least 3 Common Terns were around the Broadwater. Two Tawny Owls were calling in the pines and colour-ringed Stonechat 'Nigel' was around the east bank.

Moths were rather scant today but a superb Buff Tip was on the side of the ringing shed, and a Small Waved Umber, Green Carpet, Northern Drab and 3 White Ermines were recorded. Butterflies included Brown Argus, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Green Hairstreak, Orange Tip and Wall Brown. Two Large Red Damselflies and a Four-spotted Chaser were around the pond.

Buff Tip Moth




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 dayNorfolk 3.BEE-EATERS east of Hindolveston flew east over Nethergate at 9.45am
Norfolk Garganey drk Hockwold Washes from public footpath
Norfolk Garganey Welney WWT still +Great White Egret still