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 20th October 2020

Another busy day, with the Red-flanked Bluetail still frequenting the trapping area on the south side of the reserve and a second still present near the village car park. The Dusky Warbler was also still present around the mouth of the Heligoland trap, though typically elusive. A flock of at least ten Crossbills, the majority males, landed for a few minutes in the pines, giving the assembled birders some nice views. Other birds recorded today included two Scaup and two Goldeneye on the sea and single Merlin, Peregrine and Red Kite over the Grazing Marsh.

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT

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Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Sheringham still just east of Beeston Bump north of Nelson Road in brambles west of caravan park this a'noon TG.170.431
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Titchwell RSPB still
Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne still early a'noon in willow clump before beach car park
Norfolk EASTERN RUFOUS BUSH CHAT (form familiaris/ syriaca) again 3/4ml NNW of Stiffkey +N.of A149 Wells Road in stubble field at 12.55pm. Park carefully at north end of Green Way +walk west NR23 1QF TF.965.442
Norfolk EASTERN STONECHAT sp (probably Stejneger's Stonechat) still early a'noon Holkham Freshmarsh in NW corner by 5-bar gate TF.869.451
Norfolk Vagrant Emperor dragonfly Holkham Pines at west end by dunes early a'noo
Norfolk Great White Egret Titchwell RSPB still +2.Spoonbills
Norfolk Rough-legged Buzzard Blakeney Freshmarsh this morning (+Great White Egret still)
Norfolk unconfirmed report of large pipit sp Strumpshaw Fen RSPB flew east along River Yare at c11.30am
Norfolk RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL Holkham Pines again 200yds west of Meals House on bank behind roped-off area late morning. 5.possible Parrot Crossbills flew over pines at west end
Norfolk Slav Grebe Holkham on sea at west end of Holkham Pines at 11.50am +Great Northern Diver
Norfolk RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL Holme NOA still late morning tho elusive
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr 1ml east of Cley still south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA in sallows late morning
Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Holme NOA still by Heligoland trap tho elusive
Norfolk 4.Y-br.Wblrs Holkham NNR still near Joe Jordan Hide +8.Cattle Egrets
Norfolk RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL fem/1w.male Holme still just NE of north end of Beach Road by fence by golf course TF.697.438
Norfolk Long-tailed Duck Titchwell RSPB offshore
Norfolk Slav Grebe Titchwell RSPB offshore
Norfolk Hen Harrier ad.male Cley flew east over Glandford Road mid morning
Norfolk still no sign of Eastern Rufous Bush Chat (form familiaris/ syriaca) 3/4ml NNW of Stiffkey +north of A149 Wells Road by 9.45am. Park carefully at north end of Green Way +walk west NR23 1QF TF.965.442
Norfolk EASTERN STONECHAT sp (probably Stejneger's Stonechat) still Holkham Freshmarsh in NW corner by 5-bar gate TF.869.451
Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne still in willow clump before beach car park
Norfolk 2.Grey Phals Cley NWT flew east past beach car park at c8.40am
Norfolk again no sign of Eastern Rufous Bush Chat (form familiaris/ syriaca) 3/4ml NNW of Stiffkey +N.of A149 Wells Road by 8.50am (but ringtail.Hen Harrier G.W.Egret). Park carefully at Nend of Green Way +walk west NR23 1QF TF.965.442