NOA photo album

2011 - another great year at HBO

2012-01-05T13:24:00.000-08:00

Reflecting on the amazing 2010 ( http://noaphotoalbum.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-what-year.html ), it seemed hard to believe that 2011 could have anywhere near as much quality. However, despite poorer numbers of common migrants and scarcities, especially in autumn, it was yet another excellent year rarities wise, with the following stand-out highlights:

COLLARED FLYCATCHER (2nd for Holme)

Hume's Warbler (1+, 2nd consecutive year)

Red-flanked Bluetail (2nd for Holme)

Desert Wheatear (2nd for Holme)

Dusky Warbler (the first for over a decade)

Caspian Tern

White-tailed Eagle (2nd for Holme)

Ross's Goose

'Northern' Harrier still (now accepted)

This list is not to mention the usual scarcities including Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Honey Buzzard, Rough-legged Buzzard, Wood Warbler, Sabine's Gull, Long-tailed Skua and so on.

2012 is the observatory's 50th year! Let's hope it is yet another good one to celebrate this landmark!

Late autumn comes good!

2011-11-13T12:02:00.001-08:00

To answer the previous post, yes, autumn 2011 certainly did have a sting in the tail! This was provided by a cracking male DESERT WHEATEAR on the beach 10th-12th November (T. Bennet et. al.), only the 2nd site record and captured well by John Furse above (click to make it bigger), as well as an elusive Hoopoe 11th-12th, a flyby juvenile Sabine's Gull on the 6th (C.H. Mills et. al.), a good arrival of common migrants, including 350+ Blackbirds on the 7th, as well as the usual late autumn smattering of Lapland Buntings, Pomarine Skuas, Woodcocks and Short-eared Owls amongst more standard fare. Will the continuing SE winds spring one last surprise (maybe a Desert Warbler if we wish hard enough!)?

Autumn finally springs into life!

2011-10-18T02:58:00.000-07:00

Well, the fact that there have been no updates on here since early September is a stark indication of the standard of the autumn this year, undoubtedly one of the most frustrating in recent times. Following the few bits and pieces at the end of August a barrage of westerlies halted migration its wake, with very little noted through the whole of September and early October. A brief spell of northerlies on 14th September produced a Sooty Shearwater and a good count of 70 Manx Shearwaters, whilst Balearic Shearwaters were noted daily 15th-20th, involving at least 3 birds. A Barred Warbler 2nd-4th October, and perhaps the same on the 12th, started the month of well and seawatching picked up with some strong northerlies producing 34 Pomarine Skuas and 2 Long-tailed Skuas 7th-8th October. However, the much desired easterlies finally arrived on 13th, producing a major arrival of 13 Short-eared Owls, 1 Long-eared Owl, 2 Woodcocks and 2 Yellow-browed Warblers. Over the next couple of days more Short-eared Owls, Ring Ouzels and Lapland Buntings were noted, with the outstanding highlight being the sites 2nd RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL trapped and ringed on 15th and pictured above. Warden Sophie Barker takes up the story:

I arrived at the Observatory at 7.20am to find Assistant Warden Gary, who had agreed to open up the nets on Sat, at the foot of the steps with a bird bag. I asked him 'have you caught the Rufous-tailed Robin?' he said 'nearly! - its a Red-flanked Bluetail'. Gary had just this moment extracted the bird in the 0s. I was blessed with the ringing of the Bluetail, - when I turned it over in my hand to see the bright blue rump and tail, my knees almost went from under me. This was a first year male with a moult limit in the greater coverts and a hint of blue in the median coverts. The upper mandible was pale inside, and the tail very pointed. It was in good condition carrying a healthy pectoral muscle score and a small amount of fat, and weighed in at 13.9g. The bird posed very helpfully for piccys, and then flew up into the pines on release. It was elusive and mobile for much of the day, showing on both the NOA and NWT reserves, but enjoyed by many.

A report of a brief PALLID HARRIER on 17th unfortunately failed to give itself up for the masses to be confirmed. Will this arrival prove the highlight of the autumn, or does autumn 2011 have a late sting in the tail yet?

Colour Ringed Black tailed Godwit Redwell Marsh

2011-09-05T03:54:00.000-07:00

Black Tailed Godwit photographed on Redwell marsh in July 2009. Used here to illustrate a colour ringed bird on Redwell on 12 August - but would not sadly pose for the camera.

HISTORY OF THE BIRD, RINGED AS A BREEDING FEMALE IN NORTHERN ICELAND, AS FOLLOWS.
26.06.05 Ringed Langus Fljot Northern Iceland
28.08.05 Holkham Norfolk
30.08.05 Holkham Norfolk
01.09.05 Holkham Norfolk
20.09.05 Stifkey Norfolk
22.09.05 Stifkey Norfolk
25.09.05 Stifkey Norfolk
27.09.05 Cley Norfolk
29.09.05 Cley Norfolk
28.01.06 Santa Amalia. Extremadura. Spain
10.08.06 Cley Norfolk
30.06.09 Haganesvik Fljot. Northern Iceland
16.07.09 Snettisham Norfolk
11.03.11 Dundalk Bay louth Ireland
12.08.11 REDWELL MARSH HOLME NORFOLK

Another Hungry Caterpillar - Pine hawk Moth 30th August

2011-09-05T03:27:00.000-07:00

With the Bedstraw Caterpillars shown in a previous post thriving under the tender care of the Warden, and growing to enormous size to the delight of visitors to the Observatory, this Pine Hawk Moth Caterpillar was discovered in the vegetation near the moth trap.

Autumn migration gathering pace

2011-09-03T03:28:00.000-07:00

The end of August and start of September has seen a few scarcities at the Observatory, with an elusive Red-backed Shrike in the dunes, a fly-through Honey Buzzard and best of all 2 Wrynecks, with a long-staying bird in the NWT dunes and another ringed yesterday (2nd September), the 37th ringed at the observatory in its history and the 3rd consecutive year one has been trapped.

Spotted Redshanks

2011-08-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

21 August.2 Spotted Redshanks that spent 5 minutes feeding and preening in front of the hide at Redwell,with a supporting cast that included a feeding group of 6 Snipe, both common and Green Sandpipers, and a Barn Owl looking on from a post in the hedge. Ray roche

Some very Hungry Caterpillars now doing well at the Obs.

2011-08-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

The Bedstraw Hawkmoth pictured in the previous post not only managed to get itself caught in the Moth Trap more than once, but also produced Eggs. These survived the transition to the Caterpillar stage, and these tiny eggs have gone on to produce equally small but now rapidly growing caterpillars !! Watch this space for the NOA'S very own version of Autumn watch - but without the traditional webcam peering into the nest.

Bedstraw Hawkmoth 31 July

2011-08-12T08:04:00.001-07:00

A scarce migrant moth trapped the previous night and feeding upon the buddleia before flying off. Photos courtesy of Ian Simmons

Swallows nesting successfully in the Richardson Hide

2011-08-04T04:45:00.000-07:00

Photos kindly supplied by Ian Simmons. Cute!

Little Ringed Plover Redwell Marsh 9th July

2011-07-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

A couple of snatched record shots of a juvenile Little Ringed Plover on Redwell - before beating a hasty retreat to see the 2 Roseate Terns that had turned up at Snettisham - A local patch tick. Ray Roche

COMMON ROSEFINCH

2011-06-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

These superb shots of the male Common Rosefinch at Walsey Hills NOA on the evening of 23rd May were taken by Penny Clarke.

Jeds Farewell at the Lodge - Hunstanton. Life will never be the same again!

2011-06-03T06:36:00.000-07:00

Above Jed receiving a farewell gift from Geof Barker - NOA Chairman

Below Jed with Sophie Barker - the new NOA Warden after years of service as Assistant Warden

Jed received a presentation of the proceeds of his leaving collection from NOA Chairmam Geof Barker at an informal gathering at the week-end.The former Warden was quite overwhelmed by the generosity of friends and members who had raised a substantial amount for his gift.(His choice of time and venue having nothing to do with the champions league final which was going on in the background)Jed would like to say a very big thank you to everyone for their wonderful support - and he'll be back to get you !

Butterflies and moths

2011-05-17T13:25:00.000-07:00

More recent pictures from the observatory by Jed Andrews (click to make them bigger). Large and Small Elephant Hawkmoths (top) and an obliging Common Blue.

Wood Warbler

2011-05-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

This Wood Warbler was an excellent Holme record, especially in Spring, although slightly overshadowed by the Flycatcher! Photo © Julian Bhalerao.

COLLARED FLYCATCHER

2011-05-17T13:17:00.001-07:00

More images of the 1st-summer male COLLARED FLYCATCHER found by David Roche on 8th May. Tope photo © Julian Bhalearo, bottom two photos © Sue Bryan.

8th May Collared flycatcher at Holme - another Mega and only the fourth norfolk record

2011-05-10T01:37:00.000-07:00

Collared flycatcher Holme 8th May
with grateful thanks to Dave Holman who took and supplied the photos

2 happy people on another glorious day at Holme.

Sophie Barker with David Roche - A red letter day for DAVID who had returned to the trees around the Caravan along the entrance track, relocated the mornings rather elusive Wood warbler - and then set the pagers ablaze by finding a Male COLLARED FLYCATCHER IN THE SAME TREE !!!!

Fortunately the bird stayed and showed well to an ever increasing crowd, which at 1 point included both Sophie and NOA Chairman Geof Barker, as well as the Norfolk County Recorders, Dave and Jackie Bridges among the admiring crowd.

The opening of the NOA Car park at Redwell Marsh prevented gridlock along the access track and a welcome opportunity to raise funds in generous donations from arriving birders

A small part of the crowd anxiously scanning the Trees

Green Hairstreak 1 of at least 2 chasing around the Obs pond and actually settling for the camera - unlike any of the Flycatchers around the Obs.

Small Elephant Hawk moth - A couple of recent Hawk moths out of the trap

Poplar Hawk Moth

Whinchat 6th May

2011-05-06T13:01:00.000-07:00

Photo by Ian Simmons. Amongst a few more grounded migrants today, hopefully a promising sign of more stuff to arrive over the weekend....

Recent butterflies and moths

2011-05-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

All photos by Jed Andrews.

Speckled Wood

2011-04-24T12:38:00.001-07:00

Quite a few butterflies on the wing now at the observatory, with several Green Hairstreaks and many Speckled Woods (pictured).

More spring ringing

2011-04-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

A couple of the ringing highlights so far this spring, with a male Redstart (photographed by Jed Andrews) and a Tree Pipit (photographed by Mike Beatley).

Spring in full swing

2011-04-21T12:55:00.001-07:00

With SW followed by E winds there has been some good overhead passage including Hooded Crow, Spoonbill and up to 7 Tree Pipits, as well as a good grounding of migrants in the recording area, including 2 Nightingales, Redstart, 2 Ring Ouzels, up to 50 Wheatears and up to 6 reeling Grasshopper Warblers, one of which was captured fantastically well by Lawrie Webb:

Spring ringing

2011-04-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

With spring migration well underway a couple of photos from birds that have turned up in the nets - a typical male spring Reed Bunting (photo by Sophie Barker) and a highly unusual Marsh Tit (only the 8th observatory ringing record - photo by Jed Andrews).

Thornham LEO 1

2011-03-02T02:49:00.000-08:00

long eared Owl Thornham 20 February

2011-03-02T02:40:00.000-08:00

An amazingly obliging and visible Long Eared Owl that spent much of the day roosting on an exposed perch by a roadside hedge - much to the delight of both the assembled birders and the casual walkers passing by.

Roydon - more shots of the Turtle Dove

2011-02-01T13:10:00.001-08:00

Roydon - unseasonal Turtle Dove

2011-01-25T12:54:00.001-08:00

Away from Holme, this unseasonal Turtle Dove was present in a private garden in Roydon on 23rd and 24th January at least.

2010 - what a year!

2010-12-12T14:18:00.001-08:00

An amazing year for the observatory - the following where the highlights in the recording area:

Hume's Warbler (2nd for Holme)

'apparent' Northern Harrier

Pallid Harrier (1st for Holme)

Arctic Warbler (4th for Holme)

Red-flanked Bluetail (1st for Holme)

Gull-billed Tern (2nd for Holme)

Alpine Swift

Snow Goose

Corncrake

Red-necked Phalarope

Grey Phalarope (3)

Icterine Warbler

Barred Warbler (4+)

Rough-legged Buzzard

Honey Buzzard

Red-backed Shrike (2)

Great Grey Shrike (2)

Wood Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler (3)

Siberian Chiffchaff

Red-breasted Flycatcher

Sabine's Gull (3)

Long-tailed Skua (2)

Wryneck (2)

Thanks to all who found birds and contributed records. Hopefully next year will be just as productive!

Hume's Leaf Warbler

2010-11-23T10:27:00.000-08:00

This HUME'S LEAF WARBLER (pictured above by Jed Andrews) was trapped on the NOA reserve today (23rd November) at 09:30, having been present since yesterday (when it was heard only). It was retrapped in net 0A and had a fat score of 1. It is only the 2nd Holme record, following one on 22nd October 1997. The bird is favouring the west end of the reserve although it is being rather elusive - after being released today it was only heard a couple of times in the afternoon.

Hen Harreir at Redwell 14th November

2010-11-15T02:38:00.000-08:00

Ringtail Hen Harrier Redwell Marsh. 14th November.
After sitting on one of the posts by the footpath the Harrier proceeded to quarter the marsh, flushing the hundreds of Teal present in the process !

Jay 14th November. Taken near the church at Holme where a party of 6 Waxwings had flown through earler in the morning.

Waxwings

2010-11-14T05:39:00.000-08:00

This autumn/early winter has seen an excellent movement of Waxwings right along the east coast, including in the Holme recording area. These superb pictures (click to make them bigger) were taken by Pam Rand and depict 3 Waxwings that lingered along the river Hun, between the Redwell Marsh hide and the standing caravan, on the afternoon of 7th November, a day that saw a small arrival on land ('northern Bullfinch' and 4 Woodcocks, as well as a small arrival of Blackbirds, Goldcrests and Robins), as well as some reasonable movement on the sea (including 4 Little Auks, 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 6 Pomarine Skuas, as well as a good duck passage).

'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat

2010-11-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

Another shot of the 'Eastern' Lesser Whitethroat (pictured by Ian Simmons) that continues its long stay along the NOA east bank (to 10th November at least).

Lesser Whitethroat. Woodcock and a surprise diver on the Broadwater

2010-11-10T08:32:00.000-08:00

Eastern type Lesser Whitethroat 6th November. Still present in spite of having a good body weight and carrying a good layer of fat.

Woodcock 6th november. 1 of 2 ringed during the day

Great Northern Diver 6th November. a couple of record shots of the bird that spent approximately 20 minutes on the broaswater before lifting off and flying east after circling round Holme marsh.

Redwell Waders and a blackcap from the Obs

2010-11-02T13:37:00.000-07:00

Blackcap 31 October.
1 of nearly 100 birds ringed in the day, with ringing records at the observatory continuing to tumble as birds continue to pass through.

Red Admiral 30 October

Redsahnk Redwell Marsh 28th October

2 Dunlin that spent the afternoon in front of the hide on Redwell 28th October. A water Vole from the bridge behind the hide was a bonus - but it didn't stay to be photographed !

26th October. 2 out of 3 waxwings in the trees in the car park on beach road. Taken in dull early morning light so little more than sillhouettes.

Tawny Owl 24 October

2010-10-25T06:29:00.001-07:00

Grey wagtail 15th October - A new ringing species at Holme

2010-10-25T06:16:00.000-07:00

Grey Wagtail 15th October

Ring Ouzel 30th September - a young male bird and the second of the Autumn to be ringed

Holmes Superb Autumn continues

2010-10-18T04:05:00.001-07:00

After the massive fall of migrants over the week-end of 8th -10th October that saw ringing records at the observatory shattered on successive days a Red Flanked Bluetail present in the dunes on the afternoon of the 17th October, continued the impressive run of rare birds seen at Holme this autumn.

Bearded Tit 16th October. 1 of 5 ringed

Stonechat 12 October

Great Spotted Woodpecker 11 October

Redpoll 11 october

Autumn Images 2

2010-10-18T03:45:00.000-07:00

Black Redstart on the railings of the new disabled access from the observatory car park !
All pictures 10th October

Jay

Cettis warbler

Swallow - a late ringing record that coincide with a very late record of a cuckoo present for 2 days around the pines

Autumn Images 3

2010-10-18T03:40:00.001-07:00

Ring ouzel 9 th october

Siskin 9th October

Brambling 8th October

Redstart 8th october

Sparrowhawk 7th October. bathing in the pool opposite the Dell Hide

Pintails Rewell Marsh

2010-10-18T02:57:00.000-07:00

2 of the 3 shown below. These have been regular visitors to redwell in recent weeks

42 pintail redwell

2010-10-15T05:16:00.000-07:00

3 Pintails on redwell Marsh. Another good record for the marsh that has had both Grey and Red Necked Phalarope and Whiskered Tern amongst recent highlights

41 Wryneck Hunstanton

2010-10-15T05:12:00.000-07:00

Video taken at Hunstanton rather than Holme, but with 1 ringed at the Obs and up to 2 in the Dunes in October a substitute posting !

33 spoonbills holme 2

2010-10-15T05:08:00.000-07:00

A slightly delayed posting of 2 of a group of 5 Spoonbills in front of the car park hide. taken in August when Spoonbills were regular vissitors to the Broadwater and Holme Marsh

Some good seawatching and a major fall of common migrants

2010-10-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

A good few days seawatching 24th-26th Sept produced a juvenile Long-tailed Skua, 4 Pomarine Skuas, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Sabine's Gulls and a Grey Phalarope amongst other bits and pieces including 2 Barnacle Geese and a Red-necked Grebe. This proceeded a major arrival of common migrants from 26th-28th Sept, with peaks of 450 Robins, 10 Redstarts and 270 Bramblings amongst many other species. Associated with this were several scarcities, including a Whiskered Tern that flew through Redwell, a Grey Phalarope that dropped into Redwell briefly, a Wryneck reported in the dunes, a Honey Buzzard over the pines, up to 16 Lapland Buntings, 3 Ring Ouzels and both a Firecrest and a Yellow-browed Warbler on the NOA reserve, with the latter caught and ringed and pictured below (photo by Penny Clarke).

Brambling and Hummingbird Hawkmoth

2010-09-29T01:46:00.000-07:00

Brambling in front of the Dell Hide 26th September.

With a Yellow Browed Warbler also present by the Obs. A major fall of migrants all along the Norfolk coast saw Grey Phalarope, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted redshank and a Whiskered Tern present at Redwell Marsh on the same day.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth at rest on the Buddlea outside the Obs 25th September

Arctic Skua Holme Beach 19 September

2010-09-24T05:08:00.000-07:00

Barred Warbler 19 September

2010-09-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

With thanks to member Sandra Solly who took and supplied the photographs .

19th September Arctic Skua and Barred Warbler

2010-09-21T08:35:00.001-07:00

A lone Arctic Skua that spent nearly an hour on the beach after making a half hearted attempt to mug a Sandwich Tern

Barred Warbler in front of the dell Hide. This is the first that of the seasons 3 Barred Warblers to be ringed -27th August - but remains on site over 3 weeks later and showed well over the 2 days of the week-end

Rarities delight weekend visitors

2010-09-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

To the relief of many the ARCTIC WARBLER was still present over the weekend and showing much better and more consistently in the field than it had done earlier in the week. In addition, the RED-NECKED PHALAROPE continued to show well on Redwell Marsh and a BARRED WARBLER was still present on the NOA reserve, meaning the 'purple patch' continues and many people went away happy on both days. The Arctic Warbler was also photographed in the field by a variety of people (top shot by John Furse, rest by Penny Clarke - see her blog for more www.pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.com)

more shots to follow

Garden Warbler 5th September

2010-09-10T04:53:00.000-07:00

Garden Warbler ringed on the 5th September.

6 Redstarts ringed the same day and all the classic Autumn migrants present either in the Dunes or around the Observatory - Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Winchats and Stonechats, and Weatears as well as Red Backed Shrike

Burnt Carpet Moth out of the Obs Trap

Red Necked Phalarope September 2010 2nd record for Redwell Marsh

2010-09-10T04:36:00.000-07:00

Discovered on Redwell on the 3rd September and still present a week later on the 10th. A welcome long staying bird after the previous bird that was present for less than a day and is pictured below

Red Necked Phalarope Redwell Marsh 19 September 2005

ARCTIC WARBLER 6/9/10

2010-09-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

The start to the autumn at Holme has been spectacular to say the least, with scarcities including 4+ Barred Warblers, Icterine Warbler, Wood Warbler, Wryneck, 2 Red-backed Shrikes and a Red-necked Phalarope, but today this was trumped by a superb ARCTIC WARBLER (pictured above by Rob Gordan), only the 3rd Holme record, that was trapped and ringed on the NOA reserve in the morning. It wasn't seen during the afternoon but was seen again briefly but well in the evening, although it couldn't be relocated after this sighting either despite searching. The bird was carrying very little fat and with rain setting in just after dusk it should still be present tomorrow.

All Holme Arctic Warbler records are listed:

10th September 1984

5th September 1999

6th-12th September 2010 (photographed; J. Andrews, S. Barker et. al.)

A bird previously accepted as an Arctic Warbler, present 14th-19th October 1976 (many observers), was rejected on review and reidentified as a Greenish Warbler (following concerns raised initially by S. Joyner and D. Holman), almost certainly the first Western Paleartic record of 'Two-barred' Greenish Warbler (plumbeitarsus), although the photographic and descriptive evidence 'narrowly failed to meet the high acceptance threshold required by a first for Britain' (see full review in British birds February 2003 Vol. 96 No. 2).

The Holme Arctic Warbler is the first twitchable bird in the county since the 1999 record at the same site.

27th August A Classic Autumn day at Holme

2010-08-28T04:17:00.000-07:00

A classic Autumn day at Holme. With Skuas and kittyiwakes offshore and both Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts on the reserve, 2 star birds out of the nets made for a superb day. Redwell marsh joined in with a very obliging Wood Sandpiper showing close to the hide in glorious evening sunshine

Icterine Warbler

Barred Warbler

Wood Sandpiper Redwell Marsh

Green Sandpiper Redwell Marsh

Barred Warbler 27th August

2010-08-27T04:34:00.000-07:00

The first Norfolk record of the autumn. 2 down and waiting for the hat trick !

Icterine Warbler 27th August

2010-08-27T02:00:00.000-07:00

Last ringed at the Obs in 1994. The 15th ringing record.

More pictures

2010-08-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

Poplar Hawkmoth caterpillar at the start of the approach track

A rather striking Grasshopper on the bench outside the observatory.

Knot on Redwell Marsh NOA - an excellent site record.

Spoonbills in front of the NOA carpark hide - 2 out of 5 birds present.

Treecreeper and Garden Warbler ringed on the NOA reserve.

August fare

2010-08-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

A single Pied Flycatcher, of a group of 4, around the observatory on the evening of the 14th August, part of a small fall with a single Redstart and a handful of Whinchats also noted.

Green Sandpiper and Little-ringed Plover on the NWT pools 14th August.

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, a nice, surprise find on the NWT pools 4th August.

Pictures by Ray Roche

The start of autumn

2010-08-04T13:08:00.001-07:00

As autumn takes it's first tentative steps, with wader passage picking up such as the group of Whimbrels pictured, a plethora of butterflies and dragonflies, such as the Southern Hawker shown, still litter the buddleias around the observatory. Pictures by Jed Andrews.

HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH HOLME

2010-08-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Spoonbill Holme 26 July

2010-08-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

26 July More Hummingbirds and Spoonbills

2010-08-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

Humminbird Hawkmoths continue to linger around both the Obs and the Firs, Spooonbills clearly find the Broadwater and the pools worth visiting, Arctic Skuas have appeared off the sea to harrass the Terns and good numbers of whimbrel have passed overhead.... Autumn ?

1 of 2 Spoobnbills feeding in front of the NOA car park Hide 26 July and present for several days

A Wardens work is never done .... and an invasion of Hummingbirds

2010-07-26T06:19:00.000-07:00

After spending untold hours erecting the fencing on Redwell and more recently attacking the vegetation with a tractor, the hide at Redwell now offers clear views over the whole of the Marsh for the Autumn migrant waders to come. Green and Common Sandpipers so far.The hide over the Broadwater has also been refurbished and vegetation cleared in front to improve the view.

Black Tailed Godwits Rewell Marsh

Humminbird Hawkmoth 24 August. Part of a large infux

Spoonbills Holme Marsh 24 August.

Hawk moths and Frittilleries

2010-07-12T00:44:00.000-07:00

Pine Hawk Moth 4 July

Lime Hawk Moth 4 July

Dark Green Frittilery 10 July. 3 flying together in the Dunes at one point but rarely settling

Marsh Harrier 11 July. 1 of at least 3 of this years young quartering Holme Marsh throughout the day

Razorbill Holme Beach

2010-06-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

Razorbill 2 Holme Beach

2010-06-29T10:30:00.000-07:00

Razorbill 27 June

2010-06-28T03:56:00.000-07:00

Razorbill Holme Beach 27 June.

With Recent unseasonal sightings of Auks on the sea, this bird was heard before it was seen, calling persistantly as it drifted close inshore. It spent half an hour on the beach, still callling, before returning to the water.

Peppered Moth 27 June

Black tailed Godwit Redwell Marsh 27 June

Immature Black Headed Gull Redwell Marsh 27 June.

Black headed gulls have enjoyed a successful breeding season on Redwell this year with record numbers of birds ringed.

Mandarin on the Broadwater and Bedstraw Hawk Moth

2010-06-28T03:37:00.000-07:00

Drake Mandarin on the Broadwater 13 June. A couple of record shots of a scarce bird at Holme

29 May. An obliging Mistle Thrush in the paddocks on the approach track

29 May. Bedstraw Hawk Moth.

A scarce vagrant continuing the recent run of good moths at the observatory

Moths Butterflies and surprises on the Sea

2010-05-17T01:59:00.000-07:00

Privet Hawk Moth 15 May. The first of the season

Green Hairstreak butterfly on the Sycamore tree in the NWT Car Park 16 May.

Roe Deer 16 May. Photographed on the beach at Thornham Harbour, where they spent several hours after being watched swimming ashore from a considerable distance out to sea. A distraction from the line of 10 Gannets that had just passed flying west !

Little Terns 16 May. Photographed on the Beach by the Thornham Harbour channel.

Racing Pigeon 16 May. Holme Bird observatory. A striking looking bird on a quiet day's ringing

Broad Bordered Bee Hawk Moth 9 May

2010-05-09T23:54:00.000-07:00

Discovered inside the Observatory Building this scarce moth was a new addition to the Parish list. Photographed and then released - after which it fed on the Buddliea and Wallflowers outside the building for some time before departing. photograph by Sophie Barker

More Ring Ouzel images. 9 May

2010-05-09T23:48:00.000-07:00

Female Ring Ouzel 9 May. Staying close to the shelter of the Forestry area on the NWT Reserve

Ring Ouzel

2010-05-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Recently there has been a good series of Ring Ouzel records within the recording area, with a male on 24th April, up to 3 birds 1st-4th May and a female on 9th May. Although migration has generally been slow, there was a glut of notable migration at the end of April, with highlights including a Great-white Egret (24th April), 2 Ospreys (25th and 26th April), 3 Common Cranes (24th April) and 2 Blue-headed Wagtails (25th April), as well as smaller numbers of Tre Pipits, Redstarts, Whinchats and good totals of Yellow Wagtails and Arctic Terns.

Little Gull Redwell.mpg

2010-04-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

Brambling and Sanderling 13 April

2010-04-14T05:13:00.001-07:00

Brambling

An attempt to find any sign of the Kentish Plover reported earlier in the day failed, but did produce the Sanderling images below. The Brambling was the day's last bird out of the nets.

Little Gull Redwell Marsh 11 April

2010-04-14T05:02:00.000-07:00

A feeding Little Gull feeding on the marsh for several hours - in spite of occasional harrasment from the Black Headed Gulls

Great Grey shrike 10 April

2010-04-14T04:37:00.000-07:00

This superb Great Grey Shrike was ringed early on the morning of 10th April and last seen late in the day on the Saltmarsh towards the golf course. Previous ringing records were in 1966, 1967, [Hugh Insley] 1972, [Jack Reynolds] 1974 and 1975 [Peter Clark] The only previous spring ringing record was in 1967 - and coincidentally for the same date of 10 April.

Pied Wagtail ringed March 2010. Only 47 previous ringing records and last ringed 29/10/2009

A distant record shot of the Alpine Swift. A lingering bird at Hunstanton for several days after the Holme sightings gave many birders the chance to catch up with this rarity

1 of 2 Tree Sparrows ringed 23 March 2010. part of a movement of Tree Sparrows with several hundred recorded passing overhead at Hunstanton

Barn Owl 23 March. A retrapped Barn Owl with a delighted trainee ringer !

Another Water Rail in the hand

2010-04-07T00:28:00.000-07:00

Water Rail 4 April - this time extracted from a mist net

ALPINE SWIFT

2010-03-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

The first reasonable spring day was superbly headlined by an ALPINE SWIFT which lingered over the marsh 15:23-15:25 hrs before drifting south-west and seemingly gaining height (C. D. Rand, J. Andrews, S. Barker), having previously tracked west along the north coast from Holkham, through Burnham Overy, Brancaster and Titchwell village. Presumably the same bird then flew through east at 16:15 hrs, having been noted at Hunstanton and it was later noted at Titchwell, Brancaster Staithe and back at Hunstanton. This is the 3rd report this century, with all records in that time listed:

1 lingering over marsh then south, before later flying through east, having been tracked around the coast, 23rd March 2010 (photographed; C.D.Rand, J.Andrews, S.Barker)

1 lingered over the pines throughout the late afternoon and evening 9th September 2008 (photographed; G.Barker, M.Eckleshall et. al.) - see here

1 west over the golfcourse 27th April 2003.

The 23rd also produced a host of other notable sightings, including a female Black Redstart (above © Connor Rand), a male Ring Ouzel, a male Firecrest, 13 Twite west, a Red-necked Grebe and a good variety of species overhead, including Grey Wagtail, Brambling, Redoll, Tree Sparrow and Siskin.

GREATER SNOW GOOSE

2010-02-28T12:12:00.001-08:00

On 12th and 22nd-27th February 2010 at least a white-morph 'Greater' Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens atlanticus) has been intermittently present on the grazing marsh south of the observatory with Pink-footed Geese (pictured above), having toured the north Norfolk coast since late 2009. This is the 3rd record for the observatory recording area, with the previous records detailed below:

5th January 2007 - 1 white-morph 'Lesser' Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) was present on only one afternoon having toured various other north coast sites, sometimes in company with an intermediate-morph bird, both with Pink-footed Geese.

26th February-2nd March 2005 - 1 first-winter white-morph 'Greater' Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens atlanticus) seen on the grazing marsh south of the observatory on several occasions.

Words and picture by Connor D. Rand

Water Rail videos - honest !!!

2010-02-23T00:16:00.000-08:00

For technical reasons currently beyond me the usual method of uploading/sharing videos for the blog that I have first uploaded to Youtube is not working. To get round this, click on the links below and the correct video should appear as uploaded to Youtube. Don't you just love technology !!!!!!!!

Water rail video 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiSTOIJkv54

Water rail video 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q8ZkchTZxM

Water Rail 20 Feb

2010-02-21T07:40:00.001-08:00

With recent weather giving birds a hard time it has also drawn the local Water Rails into the open - this particular individual has been ringed and spent much of the late morning and early afternoon foraging in front of the dell Hide, providing excelent and prolonged views.

Barn Owl and few extras

2010-02-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

Barn Owl perched up by the track near Redwell 13 Feb. Barn Owls hunting regularly in daylight at the moment with up to 7 recorded over the marsh from the Obs.

Stoat with its kill along the approack track to the obs. 11 Feb

Rock Pipit Thornham Harbour 19 January

Red Kite

2010-01-01T06:35:00.000-08:00

Recently 2 Red Kites has been frequenting the Holme area and both birds are pictured above (© Jed Andrews). One is still present 1st January 2010 at least and has shown very well on occasions, although it can range quite a distance, having been seen west of the golfcourse towards Old Hunstanton and east of Thornham coal barn towards Thornham point and Titchwell RSPB, while the tatty bird was only seen on one day.

Woodlark

2010-01-01T06:05:00.000-08:00

The above Woodlark was found and photographed in the carpark by Eric Yeomans on Saturday 19th December. This species is certainly a Holme rarity - it is the 15th known record in 9 years and the first known winter record:

2000 - 4 June 17th-August 25th decreasing to 2 August 26th-October 5th
- 1 present October 16th
- 3 west October 17th
2001 - 1 April 30th
2002 - 1 May 12th
2003 - 1 October 15th

2004 - 1 in off sea then west March 8th

- 1 east October 10th

2005 - 1 April 12th
2009 - 1 December 19th

This record was part of an exceptional winter movement of Woodlarks as a result of severe weather and heavy snowfall here and on the continent. On Sunday 20th 18 flew south at Hunstanton in 2.5 hours (11:00-14:00), a county record for a winter movement, and the same day 'several' flew west over Thornham and 1 flew west at Titchwell RSPB. This coincided with a good movement of Skylarks, Snipe and Woodcocks, some of which were arriving in of the sea, although many of the Woodlarks were low to the ground, much lower than in the autumn and as was the case with the one at Holme, were clearly looking for places to land and feed. It is interesting to speculate where these birds may have come from, was this just a search for food from inland or were they from the near-continent?

2010-01-01T04:09:00.000-08:00

Kestrel Taken from the now, much improved Broadwater hide!

Peregrine With prey on the beach at Gore point

Rainbow over Thornham point

Brent Geese Two confiding birds in Thornham Harbour

Tawny Owl Roosting in the forestry in the NWT dunes

Grey plover Thornham Harbour

Curlew Thornham Harbour

In memory of Dr. Ian Burrows

2009-11-08T06:50:00.000-08:00

A great loss to conservation and for his many friends.

Three Cetti's Warblers having been processed - part of an incredible and unprecedented 26 new birds ringed on the reserve this year.

The dream team - (left to right) Ray Roche, David Roche, Jed Andrews, Connor Rand, Sophie Barker.

Shorelarks Holme Beach 30 0ctober

2009-11-01T15:22:00.001-08:00

3 present on the beach north of the Golf Course and falling within the recording area of the Observatory.

30th October Shorelarks on the beach and Bearded Tit out of the net

2009-10-31T01:54:00.000-07:00

Shorelark Holme beach. 30th October 1 of 3 present on the beach at the North end of the Golf course.

Bearded Tit Holme 30th October. Last ringed at the Obs on 27/10/04 when 2 birds ringed.

Redwing Holme 30th October.

Water Vole Redwell and a Redpoll out of the Nets

2009-10-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

18 October Water Vole in the river Hun from the bridge to Redwell Hide - actve on both sides of the bridge but not easy to photograph.

Mealy Redpoll 17 October

Yellow Browed Warbler 14 October

2009-10-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

The 3rd Yellow Browed warbler to be ringed in 5 days. Other birds of interest included a Black Redstart on the roof of the Firs, and both a summer plumaged Great Northern Diver and the first Goldeneye of the autumn sitting close off-shore

Hummingbird Hawkmoth 10 October

2009-10-12T06:33:00.000-07:00

Yellow Browed Warbler 10 0ctober

2009-10-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

Yellow Browed Warbler 10 October

Hummingbird Hawkmoth 10 october. At least 2 on the Buddlea by the Obs.

Common Darter 10 October. Still plenty of insect activity in the bright afternoon sun.

Red Admira

Firecrest and Grey Partridge out of the nets .. and still a few Skuas offshore

2009-10-10T01:53:00.000-07:00

Firecrest. 9th October

Grey Partridge 9th October. Last ringed at the Obs in 1974

Pink Footed Geese over Redwell Marsh. 9 October

Red Crested Pochard from the car park hide. 3rd October

Great Skua 2 October

2009-10-05T00:46:00.001-07:00

Good Seabird passage continued offshore during the week, with all 4 Skua species recorded on the 1st. This footage was actually taken at Snettisham on the 2nd and shows a great Skua feeding on a gull on the tideline - either opportunistic feeding or one of its victims ! The soundtrack has been changed to replace the howling wind that is producing more than a little camera shake.

Spotted Flycatcher Holme 15 september

2009-09-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

Spotted Flycatcher 15 Septamber. With strong sea bird passage continuing off shore, the last bird of the daqy out of the nets was the Spotted Flycatcher pictured above. 2 Redstarts were on the reserve but failed to make it into the nets.

Pied Flycatcher 1O September

2009-09-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

With the recent run of North Westerly winds producing good sea bird passage off the Dunes, keeping the nets open all day produced 15 birds of 11 species - including 2 juvenile Pied Flycatchers ringed in the afternoon. 2 Wheatears were in the Dunes to the west of the Pines

Greenshank Thornham Harbour 9 September

Curlew SandpiperThornham Harbour 6 September

2009-09-07T09:46:00.001-07:00

Curlew Sandpiper among a mixed flock of waders in the Harbour at Thornham. At least 2 Greenshank also present

Little Stint Holme Beach 6 September

2009-09-07T00:19:00.000-07:00

Little Stint and Curlew sandpiper Holme 6 September

2009-09-07T00:02:00.000-07:00

With recent days producing good numbers of passing seabirds a Little Stint on the beach was a nice addition to the days Seawatching tally.The Curlew Sandpiper was part of a mixed flock of waders in Thornham Harbour

Little Stint Holme Beach 6 September

Curlew Sandpiper Thornham Harbour 6 September

Holme Wryneck 27 August

2009-09-02T05:49:00.001-07:00

A classic migrant. Stunning in the hand.

Young Common Seal Holme Beach 26 August

2009-09-02T05:45:00.001-07:00

A distraction from a fairly quiet Seawatch ! Lazing on the beach at High tide