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 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 Thursday 4th June 2020

A cool day with a north breeze and rain during the afternoon. A feeding flock of 50+ House Martins, 20+ Swifts and 12 Swallows were around on the sheltered side of the reserves throughout the day. A Lesser Whitethroat was near the Broadwater and a Barn Owl was hunting on the east side of the village. 'Nigel' the colour-ringed Stonechat was around the Observatory in the afternoon.

Moths were not too abundant after the cold winds but a Lime-speck Pug, 3 Cinnabars, a Mottled Rustic, Sand Dart, Common Swift, White Ermine, Bordered White, Treble Lines, Bramble Shoot Moth, Small Elephant Hawk, Marbled Minor sp, Painted Neb and Brown Rustic were caught.

Below: Lime-speck Pug and Heart & Club




Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Great White Egret Hickling Broad NWT
Norfolk 2.Little Stints 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes at 11.08am. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.436.195
Norfolk BLACK KITE reported Roughton over wood by A140/ B1436 junction at 8.41am