Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

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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 Saturday 24th October 2020

A blustery day with a strong south-westerly making birding difficult on the reserve, highlights included 5 Tundra Bean Geese on the grazing marsh during the morning, and on the sea 500+ Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Divers, 4 Gannets, Great Crested Grebe and a Guillemot. A flock of 320 Golden Plover was on the grazing marsh south of the Hun, and 250+ Lapwings were also noted. A Hobby and a Peregrine were seen.

 

The Dusky Warbler was very elusive but a sighting was reported again near the Heligoland trap mid morning. Three Cetti's Warblers,a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and a flyover Rock Pipit were also of interest.

A Red-flanked Bluetail was still present near the Golf Course, and a Little Bunting flew west over the NWT reserve.

 

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT

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Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne still 2.45pm in willow clump just south of beach car park TG.109.435

Norfolk RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL fem/1w.male Holme still 3.45pm in brambles at east end of golf course

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck drk still 3.15pm Holkham Park Lake at south end

Norfolk 2.OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS Stiffkey 400yds east of Stiffkey Fen on North Coast Path at 1.05pm then flew to marsh

Norfolk Hawfinch Lynford Arboretum still in paddock this morning

Norfolk 9.Common Cranes Potter Heigham Marshes

Norfolk Rough-legged Buzzard Burnham Overy still 3.03pm over dunes viewed from track to Gun Hill

Norfolk LESSER YELLOWLEGS still Welney WWT in flight with Greenshanks viewed from Main Observatory then lost to view

Norfolk RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL fem/1w.male Holme still 2.57pm in brambles at east end of golf course

Norfolk EASTERN STONECHAT sp (probably Stejneger's Stonechat) Holkham Freshmarsh still in NW corner by 5-bar gate viewed from hill at west end of Holkham Pines TF.869.451

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck drk still c2.20pm Holkham Park Lake

Norfolk Lapland Bunting flew east over Weybourne Camp 9.10am-10.45am (+Great White Egret east +Great Northern Diver offshore)

Norfolk Arctic Tern Cley flew east along shore +6.Snow Buntings

Norfolk Great White Egret Titchwell RSPB still

Norfolk Long-tailed Duck Titchwell RSPB still

Norfolk Great White Egret Wells in cattle field by Coast Road at 11.47am

Norfolk large pipit sp Thornham on saltmarsh c400yds NE of harbour at 11.49am with Meadow Pipits

Norfolk 5.Tundra Bean Geese Holme NOA still on grazing marsh tho mobile

Norfolk 13+Cattle Egrets Holkham Freshmarsh still

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck drk still 11.34am Holkham Park Lake flew to north end of lake with Tufted Ducks

Norfolk 4.Hawfinches Holkham Park in yew in garden right of entrance at 10.50am

Norfolk Rough-legged Buzzard Burnham Overy Staithe again over saltmarsh at 11.05am

Norfolk 12+Cattle Egrets Holkham Freshmarsh still 10.32am

Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne still 10.12am in willow clump just south of beach car park TG.109.435

Norfolk RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL fem/1w.male Holme still in bushes south of golf course at 9.50am

Norfolk Little Bunting Holme NWT flew west over golf course at 8th tee at 9.18am

Norfolk Hawfinch Great Yarmouth still at Tar Works Road in allotments NE of Lobec Fabrications

Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne still in willow clump before beach car park at 8.32am TG.109.435

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck drk still Holkham Park Lake at 8.25am

Norfolk Great White Egret y'day Hingham at Seamere Fen at 3pm. View from Deopham Water Mill