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 – Tuesday 29th DECEMBER 2020

Further to the announcement of a Tier 4 (Stay at home) lockdown in Norfolk, the NOA has closed all hides on its nature reserves. While we would discourage anyone from travelling too far during this crucial time, our reserves themselves will remain open for local visitors and usual charges will apply for non-members. Please follow government advice, and respect social distancing at all times. We will restore access to our facilities as and when government restrictions permit.

We are very grateful for your understanding and support.

Holme Bird Observatory Monday 5th October 2020


Winds changed direction this morning but with many migrants still moving, highlights included a juvenile Goshawk over Thornham Harbour, a Barn Owl, 2 Swifts, a Kingfisher, a juvenile Peregrine over the grazing marsh, 2 Swallows, 15 House Martins, 2+ Yellow-browed Warblers, a Lesser Whitethroat, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers in the pines north of the NOA reserve, 4+ Redstarts, a Wheatear at Thornham, 4 Rock Pipits, 3 Redpolls, 10 Siskins, and a Hawfinch over the dunes. The Blyth's Reed Warbler was sadly not seen during the day.

 

Moths included a Pearly Underwing (pictured), Black Rustic, 5 Feathered Ranunculus, a Square-spot Rustic, 3 Rusty-dot Pearl, a Rush Veneer, 4 Silver Ys, a Setaceous Hebrew Character, Shuttle-shaped Dart, Large Wainscot, 2 Diamond-backs, 4 Large Yellow Underwings and 2 Lunar Underwings.

 

With a little sunshine in the middle of the day, Wall Brown and Peacock butterflies were seen.

 

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT

For all this news, in the field as it happens, subscribe to Rare Bird Alert for as little as 14p per day

Norfolk EASTERN STONECHAT sp (probably Stejneger's Stonechat) still 3.30pm between Happisburgh +Cart Gap at north end of Doggett's Lane

Norfolk Ring Ouzel Weybourne Camp still this morning

Norfolk 2.Y-br.Wblrs Sedgeford still by path west of church at 2.44pm

Norfolk possible Short-toed Lark y'day 1/2ml west of Wighton by Crabbe Road in flight with Skylarks

Norfolk 4.Common Cranes flew over Welney WWT

Norfolk ARCTIC WARBLER still Wells Woods in middle this a'noon (+Mealy Redpoll +Hawfinch flew east)

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Brancaster c250yds west of golf clubhouse flew low west over dunes +saltmarsh at 8am

Norfolk Little Gull just E.of Wells at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml E of steam railway entrance at 11.30am. Keep to public rights of way +don't enter from railway station TF.932.431

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Hopton-on-Sea early a'noon

Norfolk 2.Y-br.Wblrs Holme Dunes late morning +Pied Fly

Norfolk 2.Hawfinches flew east over Holkham Pines at 12.19pm

Norfolk 4.Y-br.Wblrs Holkham Pines this morning

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Holkham Gap still this morning

Norfolk Barred Warbler Burnham Overy Dunes still at east end by west end of Holkham Pines

Norfolk Lapland Bunting flew over Waxham (Black Redstart on farm buildings near church)

Norfolk Glossy Ibis still 1.28pm c1ml NW of Martham east of Martham Ferry in field with yellow digger south of River Thurne

Norfolk PALLID HARRIER 1/2ml west of Wighton flew south over Crabbe Road at c12.55pm +Hoopoe still on dung heap

Norfolk Wryneck Happisburgh still in horse paddock. Shorelark by coastguard lookout

Norfolk Red-backed Shrike 1w Wells Woods still on fence 400yds south of Pinewoods Caravan Park at midday

Norfolk 2.Great White Egrets flew south past Hopton-on-Sea

Norfolk Red-backed Shrike Thornham still 11.55am on north side of village in hedge viewed from loop path

Norfolk Hoopoe still 11.55am 1/2ml west of Wighton on manure heap south of Crabbe Road

Norfolk Richard's Pipit west of Ludham near Johnson Street at Buttle Marsh NR flushed at 10.45am then flew across river to Horning Upper Street Marshes

Norfolk Hawfinch Holme Dunes in scrub by track entrance

Norfolk repeat: EASTERN STONECHAT sp (probably Stejneger's Stonechat) between Happisburgh +Cart Gap at north end of Doggett's Lane (for 3rd day) [faeces have been collected for DNA analysis]

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Sedgeford still by path west of church at 9.50am

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Titchwell RSPB still by boardwalk to Fen Hide at 9.45am

Norfolk EASTERN STONECHAT sp (probably Stejneger's Stonechat) between Happisburgh +Cart Gap at north end of Doggett's Lane [faeces have been collected for DNA analysis]

Norfolk reported Isabelline Shrike sp Thornham on north side of village viewed south from sea wall is a Red-backed Shrike +still present late morning

Norfolk Glossy Ibis still c1ml NW of Martham east of Martham Ferry in fields south of River Thurne at 10.55am

Norfolk Red-necked Phal still 10.15am Salthouse off A149 from path north towards Little Eye cTG.076.440

Norfolk Great White Egret flew NW over Thorpe-next-Haddiscoe Marshes at 9.15am. 4.Jack Snipe in wet grass near scrape

Norfolk 1+Y-br.Wblr NNW of King's Lynn at Lynn Point

Norfolk ISABELLINE SHRIKE sp Thornham on north side of village viewed south from sea wall at c9.55am tho distant

Norfolk 2.Y-br.Wblrs Wells Woods between entrance +300yds west of The Dell on south side of track +Pied Fly 2.Redstarts

Norfolk Great White Egret Breydon Water flew south over east end

Norfolk Hoopoe still 1/2ml west of Wighton on manure heap south of Crab Road at 9.08am

Norfolk Hoopoe still 1/2ml west of Wighton on manure heap south of Crabbe Road at 9.08am

Norfolk Red-necked Phal still Salthouse off A149 from path north towards Little Eye cTG.076.440

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Wells Woods at The Dell at east end at 8.45am +Pied Fly

Norfolk 4.Cattle Egrets y'day Burnham Overy Marshes still +Great White Egret still

Norfolk Caspian Gull y'day Titchwell RSPB

Norfolk Lapland Bunting y'day Holkham Gap still at SE end of dunes in a'noon tho mobile

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr y'day Great Yarmouth at Caister Road Cemetery

Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER y'day Sculthorpe Moor NR along River Wensum in scrub behind Victors Hide at 3.15pm