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.

Holme Bird Observatory Saturday 6th May 2023

Highlights today were a drake Garganey at Thornham, together with 32 Ruff, and on the reserves a Turtle Dove was flushed on Broadwater Road, 4 Cuckoos, a Barn Owl, 2 Firecrests, 16 Swallows, 5 House Martins, 8 Chiffchaffs, 5 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Lesser Whitethroats, 5 Whitethroats, 20 Sedge Warblers, 6 Reed Warblers, 2 Stonechats, a Wheatear, 11 Yellow Wagtails and a Tree Pipit were all of note. A Nightingale was heard opposite the car park and a Garden Warbler and Grasshopper Warbler were both trapped during ringing today. 

Moths included a Shuttle-shaped Dart in the traps, 2 Cinnabars and 3 Green Longhorns on the wing during the day, butterflies included 2 Orange Tips, 2 Small Whites, 5 Green Hairstreaks, 3 Wall Browns, Red Admiral, 2 Peacocks, a Holly Blue, Brimstone and 2 Small Coppers.

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
For all this news, in the field as it happens, subscribe to Rare Bird Alert for as little as 14p per day
Norfolk 6.Turtle Doves Snettisham from beach car park at 2pm +showing well
Norfolk Turtle Dove flew south over Snettisham Coastal Park mid a'noon
Norfolk Blue-headed Wagtail male Happisburgh still 1.30pm in ploughed field south of Coastwatch
Norfolk LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER Snettisham Coastal Park till c1.20pm at Ken Hill Marshes on scrape at north end from sea wall then flew south to The Wash
Norfolk Garganey Welney WWT still
Norfolk 3.Wood Sands Hickling Broad NWT still c1/3ml ESE of visitor centre at Brendan's Marsh from 1st viewing platform at 11.47am c52.7399,1.6025
Norfolk LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER Snettisham Coastal Park at Ken Hill Marshes on scrape at north end from sea wall
Norfolk probable Pallid Harrier ringtail Edgefield 11.05-11.10am then flew SE
Norfolk 7.Dotterel 3/4ml south of Titchwell still late morning at Choseley in tilled field NW of drying barns. Do not block access 52.9518,0.6062
Norfolk 3.Spoonbills Hickling Broad NWT in dead trees from east end of Brendan's Marsh
Norfolk PALLID HARRIER flew north over Horsey Gap at 10.50am
Norfolk Wood Sand Kelling north of A149 at Kelling Water Meadow 52.9492,1.1165
Norfolk 2.Garganey (1.drk) Thornham harbour still on pool
Norfolk 2.Wood Sands Salthouse still 10.05am east of Iron Road on pool in cattle field. Park in Salthouse village +walk west; don't park by A149 c52.9556,1.0796
Norfolk Pallid Harrier or Montagu's Harrier ringtail flew west over Kelling Hard at 10am
Norfolk 2.Wood Sands Hickling Broad NWT still c1/3ml ESE of visitor centre at Brendan's Marsh from viewing platform c52.7399,1.6025
Norfolk 2.Turtle Doves Snettisham still in beach car park
Norfolk 3.Wood Sands Salthouse east of Iron Road on pool in cattle field. Park in Salthouse village +walk west; don't park by A149 c52.9556,1.0796
Norfolk Scaup drk Snettisham on sea
Norfolk Blue-headed Wagtail male Happisburgh in ploughed field south of Coastwatch at 8.05am
Norfolk Spotted Redshank y'day Cantley Marshes RSPB still
Norfolk no sign of any Night Herons y'day Strumpshaw Fen RSPB in evng
Norfolk 9.Dotterel 3/4ml south of Titchwell still at Choseley in tilled field NW of drying barns at 6.50am. Do not block access