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 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 Thursday 7th May 2020

A beautiful sunny day with a light east breeze. A Common Sandpiper was on the edge of Broadwater and 12 Black-tailed Godwits flew out across the grazing marsh. Two Cuckoos were calling during the day, and two Hobbies were hawking over the marshes late morning. A Garden Warbler was singing on the reserve and a male Stonechat was just south of the Broadwater. A White Wagtail was running around on the east bank briefly around midday.


Moths were scarce with a Garden Pebble, 2 Muslins, 2 Northern Drabs, a Pine Beauty, and a White Ermine caught in the traps, but a plague of tiny Emperor caterpillars ensued when eggs laid by one of the adult moths which emerged over Easter finally hatched!


Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk 2.BEE-EATERS flew north west over Stiffkey
Norfolk Great White Egret flew east over Cley NWT this morning +2.Spoonbills
Norfolk Turtle Dove Heacham South Beach still by green shed
Norfolk Short-eared Owl y'day Thorpe-next-Haddiscoe
Norfolk 2.Temminck's Stints 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes (+Spoonbill)
Norfolk Temminck's Stint flew over Cley NWT at c9am