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 Tuesday 13th October 2020



 


 

Sparrowhawk, Bearded Tit and Rock Pipit caught at the Observatory today. Photos by Emma Buck

 

An excellent day for birding with 4 Eider, 1000+ Common Scoter, 3 Velvet Scoter, a Red-breasted Merganser and 6 Gannets seen on the sea. Three Red Kites sat together on the marsh in the afternoon and 2 Water Rails, 2 Tawny Owls, a Peregrine and a female Sparrowhawk (ringed) were also logged. Migrants included 25+ Goldcrests, 15+ Bearded Tits (13 ringed), 4 Cetti's Warblers, 35 Long-tailed Tits (29 ringed), 3 Blackcaps, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2,500+ Starlings, 2 Ring Ouzels (one on the NWt reserve and one in off the sea), 4 Fieldfares, 50+ Redwings, 4 Mistle Thrushes, 12 Robins, 5 Stonechats, 5 Grey Wagtails, 3 Pied Wagtails, 75+ Meadow Pipits, 6+ Rock Pipits, 12 Bramblings, 6 Crossbills, 6 Siskins and 15 Reed Buntings. A Hooded Crow was seen on bushes just south of the NWT entrance gate.

 

In the moth traps another Olive-tree Pearl was of particular note and Small Copper and Small Tortoiseshell were on the buddleia outside the Obs, while Migrant Hawker and Common Darter were still seen near the pond.

 

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT

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Norfolk Twite Morston flew west

Norfolk 15.Waxwings flew south over Morston at 4.28pm

Norfolk Water Pipit Buckenham Marshes RSPB still

Norfolk Short-eared Owl Salthouse near Little Eye

Norfolk Black Redstart Waxham still at church

Norfolk Ring Ouzel Holme Dunes NWT in horse paddock 500yds west of visitor centre at 3pm

Norfolk 9.Cattle Egrets Welney WWT still +Great White Egret Common Crane

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Sedgeford still by path west of church by stream

Norfolk Lapland Bunting flew west over Weybourne Camp 7.40-11.20am (+Y-br.Wblr Short-eared Owl)

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Holkham Pines on east side of Meals House south of track at 1.45pm

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Cley flew over beach this morning (+Great Northern Diver flew east +3.Scaup)

Norfolk probable White Stork flew north over Snettisham RSPB at c1.20pm

Norfolk Great White Egret Titchwell RSPB still on freshmarsh +Spotted Redshank

Norfolk Red-necked Phal Cley NWT on sea off beach car park at c1.20pm

Norfolk Dartford Warbler Hethersett c1/2ml SE of church along track thru mustard field briefly 8am but no further sign by 9am +2.Jack Snipe flew west

Norfolk Water Pipit Morston in flooded horse paddock east of car park at c11am

Norfolk Lapland Bunting flew SW over Morston at 8.57am

Norfolk Barred Warbler Burnham Overy Dunes still at east end by west end of Holkham Pines in 1st hollow on south side in brambles by path at 11.50am

Norfolk Little Stint Winterton

Norfolk Barred Warbler Warham Greens 1/4ml west of north end of Garden Drove in pit north of coast path tho elusive TF.939.438

Norfolk Little Stint Breydon Water early morning +Purple Sand

Norfolk 2.Water Pipits y'day Buckenham Marshes RSPB