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 19th December 2020

An improving day with sunshine but blustery showers. On the sea today an Eider, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 30 Common Scoters, 11 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 2 Fulmars, a Gannet, 7 Great Crested Grebes and 3 Little Gulls were recorded. A Great White Egret flew over the grazing marshes south mid morning and a Black-tailed Godwit was also of note. A juvenile Peregrine was hunting over the pines giving good views, and among the Brent Geese on the marsh a Pale-bellied Brent was still present.

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk 14.Snow Buntings Winterton-on-Sea flew south from groyne.59
Norfolk Iceland Gull juv Weybourne still on beach west of beach car park at 1.57pm tho mobile
Norfolk Slav Grebe Ormesby Broad still
Norfolk 2.Tundra Bean Geese between Thornham + Choseley but no sign of Todd's Canada Goose
Norfolk Iceland Gull Thetford at Nunnery Lakes NR on flood on west side of Little Ouse River briefly 8.48am but no further sign by 11.30am
Norfolk 3.Purple Sands Sheringham on rocks by Wee Retreat this morning
Norfolk Snow Bunting east of Holkham Gap still at roped-off area at 12.16pm TF.899.460
Norfolk Scaup fem Barton Broad still
Norfolk Hen Harrier male Winterton North Dunes at 12.04pm
Norfolk Water Pipit Thornham harbour at 11.42am
Norfolk 2.Iceland Gulls (both juvs) Winterton still on North Beach
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Snettisham Coastal Park by Beach Road by Shepherds Port at 11.45am with tit flock
Norfolk 11.Snow Buntings Horsey flew south along beach at 11.22am
Norfolk Little Stint ad Snettisham RSPB still on The Wash at 11.21am
Norfolk Long-tailed Duck Filby Broad still from viewing platform at 11.10am
Norfolk Water Pipit Titchwell RSPB still along north bank of freshmarsh at 9.33am
Norfolk Velvet Scoter drk Cley off coastguards at 9.35am
Norfolk 9.Cattle Egrets Welney WWT still
Norfolk Red-necked Grebe Titchwell RSPB still on sea at 8.29am +2.Slav Grebes 4.Long-tailed Duck. 2.Great Northern Divers flew past