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 wonderful.org. Just click the button on the right to go to our dedicated page. Thank you.

ACCESS TO HOLME BIRD OBSERVATORY UPDATE

REPAIRS TO THE COASTAL FOOTPATH ARE COMPLETE AND FULL ACCESS IS RESTORED TO THE OBSERVATORY FROM THORNHAM. THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS AND VISITORS FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION.

Wednesday 14th September 2016

With a promising wind direction hopes were high for some migrant birds. The day started well with a Fieldfare disturbed from the East bank sallows which flew into the pines. It was seen again a short while later before being watched flying off west across the grazing marsh. Next up was a group of four Artic Skuas flying from Thornham over the corner of the Grazing marsh then over the obs, also heading west. A probable Little Bunting was reported flying over calling at Gore point and birds at the Observatory during the morning included a Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail and five Whinchat on the grazing marsh near Thornham Harbour.

The afternoon saw a small arrival of birds with another Tree Pipit, two Pied Flycatchers, three Garden Warblers, Wheatear, two more Whinchat and Redstart trapped and ringed. Eight Spoonbill were in Thornham Harbour, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and Spotted Redsahnk were noted around the Broadwater and the day ended with an impressive flock of thirty Grey Herons flying past the Obs heading west.

At Walsey Hills a quiet morning was enlivened by a brief Spotted Flycatcher and small numbers of commoner migrants. A similar afternoon arrival included five Pied Flycatchers and two male Common Redstarts feeding around the scrub and a Wheatear whizzed through.

Common Redstart after processing - Holme Bird Obs, September 2015