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 Friday 5th June 2020

More rain today though clearing in the afternoon. A Spoonbill was on the Broadwater and 7 Black-tailed Godwits were at the back of the grazing marshes. Two Turnstones flew over the pines, and a Cuckoo, Barn Owl, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warbler and a pair of Stonechats were recorded.

With the poor weather there were no butterflies or dragonflies again today, but moths today included 3 Small Elephant Hawks, a Silvery Y, a Willow Beauty, Treble Lines, Vine's Rustic, White Ermine, 5 Cinnabars, a Rosy Wave, Pine Hawk, Mottled Rustic and Smoky Wainscot.

At least 33 Early Marsh Orchids, ssp Coccinea, are flowering around the pond (photo below).



Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk 2.Crossbills just north of How Hill flew NE over Sharp Street at 2.40pm
Norfolk 4.Spoonbills Cley NWT still by East Bank
Norfolk BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER Hickling Broad NWT on new scrape near visitor centre early a'noon then flew north
Norfolk no sign of Little Stint Hickling Broad NWT on Rush Hill Scrape from Weavers' Way
Norfolk BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER till 11.15am 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes then flew towards Rush Hill Scrape. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.438.193