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 22nd June 2020

A pleasant but breezy day with plenty of sunshine, the drake Wigeon was still beside the Broadwater today and a single Spoonbill was at the far west end. Two Med Gulls were flying over calling and a Cuckoo was still about, with 25 Swifts, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, a Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Sedge Warblers a Reed Warbler, 2 Bullfinches and in the pines at the Obs 6 Crossbills came down to drink at the Dell, but didn't hang around.

A Black-tailed Skimmer and a Blue-tailed Damselfly were on the wing near the pond, and Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral and Painted Lady were also noted, if windswept!

Moths included Small Blood-vein, Buff Tip, 9 Cinnabar, 7 Bordered White, 4 Diamond-back, a Common Footman, 2 Common Swift, a Snout, Pine Hawk, Privet Hawk, 2 Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Rosy Wave, a Poplar Hawk, Shore Wainscot, Mottled Rustic, 2 Sand Darts, a Common Rustic, Striped Wainscot and Double Square-spot.

Below: Shore Wainscot and Double Square-spot




Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Little Gull Cley flew east past beach car park at 12.45pm
Norfolk Wood Sand just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk 25.Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen at 11.30am. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk Turtle Dove Kelling Heath