Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

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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 Monday 1st June 2020

Another fine, dry and sunny day with a persistent easterly breeze. A Spoonbill flew east just south of the Broadwater and a Greeshank flew over calling. 2 Cuckoos were around the reserves. A family of 15 Shelduck (thirteen small ducklings) was on the Broadwater and a family of Stonechats was around the Observatory mid afternoon.


Shelduck family on Broadwater

In the moth traps a Tawny Barred Angle, 2 Ferns, a Purple Bar, Green Carpet, 2 Pine Hawks, a Privet Hawk, 18 Cinnabars, 5 Marbled Minor sp, Common Carpet, The Rustic, a Breckland Plume, 3 Bordered Whites, 3 Heart & Darts, a Turnip, 2 White Ermines, a Small Elephant Hawk moth, Brown Rustic, 3 Sand Darts, 2 Treble Lines, a Pale Tussock, Vine's Rustic, 2 Mottled Rustic and a Common Pug were caught.

Below: Privet and Pine Hawk, Pale Tussock and Tawny Barred Angle






Butterflies were predominantly Small Heaths, and 2 Azure Damselflies, 3 Large Red Damselflies and 4 Four-spotted Chasers were counted around the pond.

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk still no sign of ad.Squacco Heron 2/3ml NW of Letheringsett at Bayfield Hall by mid a'noon
Norfolk 5.Turtle Doves Snettisham Coastal Park still
Norfolk White Stork Breydon Water South Wall early a'noon
Norfolk Wood Sand Hickling Broad NWT
Norfolk still no sign of ad.Squacco Heron 2/3ml NW of Letheringsett at Bayfield Hall by 11am. Park in Letheringsett +walk NW; do not park by Blakeney Road
Norfolk still no sign of ad.Squacco Heron 2/3ml NW of Letheringsett at Bayfield Hall by 9am. Park in Letheringsett +walk NW; do not park by Blakeney Road
Norfolk RED-FOOTED FALCON 1s.male flew south over Breydon Water at 7.14am
Norfolk no sign of ad.Squacco Heron 2/3ml NW of Letheringsett at Bayfield Hall 5.30-7.20am. Park in Letheringsett +walk NW; do not park by Blakeney Road