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 Tuesday 25th August 2020

Storm Francis made birding difficult with heavy rain followed by very high winds. However, the Wryneck on the NWT reserve was still present and 2 Great White Egrets were seen over the grazing marsh at 8.15am. Also of interest were 150+ Black-tailed Godwits, 15 Snipe, 5 Common and 1 Green Sandpiper. A juvenile Turtle Dove and 2 Stonechats were also seen in the dunes.

The moth catch today was crowned by a fabulous Convolvulus Hawk Moth, but other migrants were also noted: 2 Rusty-dot Pearls, a Rush Veneer and a Pale Mottled Willow were also caught. Also of interest were 9 Silver Ys, 9 Archer's Darts, a Green Carpet, 4 White-lined Darts, 2 Cloaked Minors, a Common Wainscot, 9 Setaceous Hebrew Characters, a Shuttle-shaped Dart, 26 Large Yellow Underwings, 18 Flounced Rustics, 8 Vine's Rustic, 2 White Point, a Mother-of-pearl, a Square Spot Rustic, Flame Shoulder, Single Dotted Wave, 2 Dingy Footmen, Smoky Wainscot, Gold Spot, Straw Underwing, Turnip and Six-striped Rustic.

 
Turtle Dove

 
Convolvulus Hawk Moth

 

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk 2.Pom Skuas (both ads) flew west past Cley 8.10am-12.15pm (+Curlew Sand flew east)
Norfolk Long-tailed Skua subad flew past Cley this a'noon +ad.pale morph.Pom Skua tho distant
Norfolk 15.Spotted Redshanks Snettisham RSPB on South Pit at midday
Norfolk Great White Egret y'day Holme Dunes still
Norfolk Curlew Sand Titchwell RSPB still on freshmarsh early morning