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 2nd October 2020

A day threatening rain and with strengthening winds from the east, highlights today were 23 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank at Thornham Harbour, and a Peregrine over the marsh. A late Swallow flew over the car park and a Yellow-browed Warbler was seen near the Heligoland trap and moved to the area opposite the Richardson Hide. A movement of Blackcaps was noted with 20 counted in the recording area and at least 1 Lesser Whitethroat was still present. Also of interest were 3 Redpolls, 2 Crossbills and a Siskin.

A Humming-bird Hawk Moth was on the buddleia and in the traps a Red-green Carpet, 2 Feathered Ranunculus, a Beaded Chestnut, Large Yellow Underwing, 5 Lunar Underwings, a Large Wainscot and a Black Rustic were caught.

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT

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Norfolk 3.Lapland Buntings Waxham (+Great Northern Diver flew south)
Norfolk Arctic Tern juv Kelling Water Meadow still midday
Norfolk 2.Great White Egrets Welney WWT still viewed north from Lyle Hide at 1.51pm
Norfolk 3.Spoonbills Stiffkey flew towards Morston at 1.08pm
Norfolk 3.Caspian Gulls (near-ad +2.1w) Salthouse at Beach Road this morning
Norfolk Black-throated Diver flew west past Cley 8am-midday +juv.Arctic Tern
Norfolk Red-breasted Fly 1w Weybourne Camp this morning (+Snow Bunting)
Norfolk 16.Spoonbills y'day Titchwell RSPB
Norfolk Spoonbill just E.of Wells again at North Point Pools by track N of A149 +1/3ml E of steam railway entrance. Keep to public rights of way +don't enter from r'way station TF.932.431
Norfolk 5.Great White Egrets y'day Titchwell RSPB
Norfolk 4.Y-br.Wblrs Holkham NNR between Salt's Hole +Joe Jordan Hide. 2.Great White Egrets on west side of Holkham Freshmarsh
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Stiffkey at Campsite Wood by sewage works still 11.35am with tit flock
Norfolk Red-backed Shrike 1w west of Titchwell RSPB still on Thornham Marsh in hedge viewed from A149 at 11.18am
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr 1ml east of Cley still south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA on west side of track below observatory at 10.46am
Norfolk Curlew Sand Breydon Water still early morning
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Stiffkey east of campsite still 10.16am
Norfolk 2.Curlew Sands (both juvs) Snettisham RSPB still on The Wash at 9.39am
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Holkham Pines east of Washington Hide by boardwalk at 9.18am
Norfolk 2.Purple Sands Titchwell RSPB still on beach near old gun emplacement at end of main path at 9.35am
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Holkham NNR near Salt's Hole with tit flock