NOA Activities
SPONSORED BIRDWATCH
Each year the NOA runs a Sponsored Birdwatch to help raise funds for specific
projects. Sponsored Birdwatch forms are sent our annually in our March
newsletter but can also be obtained from the Observatory on request. Participants
can do a sponsored birdwatch on any day of the year and at any location.
All the proceeds go to the named project, and sponsorship can be gift aided
to make the sponsorship go further.
2007
This year's sponsored birdwatch took place on Christmas Eve and began at 7.30am on Redwell Marsh, on a windy, cold and dark morning. Taking part were Jed Andrews, Sophie Barker, Connor and Billy Rand, and Stuart Cowper.
The intrepid birdwatchers gathered while the sun was still below the horizon. A Barn Owl was at the back of the long field adjacent to Redwell, and on entering the hide at Redwell a Kingfisher, visible only as a silhouette in the gloom, streaked over the scrape. A Black-tailed Godwit was feeding at the back and Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, and Shoveler were all on the list within minutes of the outset.
After scouring the marsh for all possible birds, moving on to Gore Point Dunnock and Greenfinch were quickly added, and looking from the dunes out to the shore and beyond, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Red-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck and a Great Crested Grebe were all obliging.
On arriving at the Observatory, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit, Chaffinch and Stonechat were in the scrub, while Tufted Duck, Pochard and Little Grebe were on the Broadwater. A timed seawatch produced 3 Goosander, a Black-throated Diver, one Kittiwake, 35 Snow Buntings, and a wader picked up flying out to sea was followed by warden Jed Andrews whose suspicions were confirmed when it landed on the sea – a Grey Phalarope!
Buoyed by the excellent seawatch, a Goldcrest was found in the pines on the seawatchers' return, and the party departed for Thornham Harbour, where they found not only our great friends Ray and David Roche, but also Rock Pipit, Linnet, Skylark, Reed Bunting and Lapland Bunting.
After a buffeting from strong winds on the sea wall at Thornham and happy with their added species, no-one was sorry to depart for Titchwell (and some fodder). On the way the party stopped at a private garden in Thornham which had been suggested for adding Brambling and Tree Sparrow which were right on cue – a Coal Tit was an unexpected bonus.
At Titchwell the birders stopped for lunch, and then, refuelled, made their way to the feeding station where Siskins were feeding in alders at the back of the visitors centre. Via the Fen hide, Peregrine, Ruff and Snipe were found. Proceeding back along the main footpath the team stopped to inspect the ducks on the main dyke and found many Pintail, but sharp eyed Sophie picked out a female Red-crested Pochard among Common Pochard which was skulking by the side of the reeds. On the scrapes and marshes Little Egret, Spotted Redshank, Mute Swan and Avocet were good additions, and with all concerned on nearly 90 species, they returned to the sea for any additions that might be available.
An impressive number of Goldeneye were offshore and after some searching a Red-necked Grebe was found. Further searching produced no more new species, so the party returned to the scrapes as the afternoon closed in, to look for birds coming in to roost on the scrape. Two Med Gulls were found with the gull roost, and a Bittern was glimpsed from the path, but not seen by those looking from the comfort of the hides. As the dusk was gathering the birders counted up their totals and found that they had made 100 with the exception of warden Jed Andrews who, again, was stuck on 99 for the second year running. Sadly no further species were forthcoming but another very enjoyable and successful birdwatch came to a close, having reached 100 without any auks, partridges, warblers, wagtails, woodpeckers, or even a Grey Heron!
Well done to all who took part, and many thanks to everyone for supporting the event again this year.
2006
Proceeds from this year’s Sponsored Birdwatch are for replacing the
Observatory visitors centre door and windows which are at least 30 years
old and in a very poor state of repair. Replacing them provides an opportunity
to make good the damage but also to install double glazing to reduce the
need for heating the building in the winter, cutting down on bills.
This year Jed alone secured over £1,000 worth of sponsorship, member
Dave Nock raised £500, and Sophie, Connor Rand, David Roche, James
and Simeon Grundy, Matthew Evans, Mark Bradbury, Malcolm Rains and Mrs Thompsett
also took part, their sponsorship is still being collected. Over £2,000
has been promised for this event this year. Our sincere thanks to everyone
who either did their own birdwatch or who sponsored others.
Result: The new windows were installed on the 21st December (see pictures)
` 
2006 Sponsored Birdwatch Report by Jed Andrews
2005
The 2005 sponsored birdwatch raised funds for a bridge at Redwell Marsh to
allow the hide to be moved across the river, thus avoiding a conflict with
a re-opened right of way.
Sponsored Birdwatches were completed by David Roche who raised £40.00,
Mrs I Boston who raised £39.60, Mr & Mrs P Roberson who raised £110,
Matthew Evans and Connor Rand who raised £30.88 and £32.05, Dave
Nock who raised a superb £300.00, Assistant Warden Sophie Barker raised £335.00
and Warden Jed Andrews raised £369.50. This brings the total raised
in sponsorship in 2005 to £1,530.53. Our thanks and congratulations
to all participants and sponsors.
Result: The new bridge at Redwell was installed in March 2006 and the hide moved and rebuilt successfully (see pictures).
2005 Sponsored Birdwatch report by Sophie Barker
2004
The 2004 Sponsored Birdwatch raised a superb £700 towards improvements
to hides at Holme despite only four people taking part.
Result: the money raised was used to help fund the replacement of the Car Park Hide at Holme in March 2006 (see pictures)
2003
The 2003 event raised £500 for improvements to the Observatory reserve
Result: the money raised was used to help fund the replacement of the Car Park Hide at Holme in March 2006 (see pictures)
2002
The relaunch of this event raised £1,000 for improvements at Walsey
Hills reserve.
Result: the money raised was used to fund the replacements of the steps in 2003, and the building of a replacement hill-top hide at Walsey in February 2004 (see pictures).
2002 Sponsored Birdwatch Report by Chris Mills
GRAND SUMMER DRAW
The NOA holds an annual raffle to raise funds for specific projects. The
draw is held at the Annual General Meeting, and features some excellent
prizes. A great many charities hold prize draws but for the NOA the raffle
can sometimes be the only means of raising sufficient funds for vital maintenance
work.
2006
Proceeds from this year’s draw are for replacing the Observatory visitors
centre door and windows which are at least 30 years old and in a very poor
state of repair. Replacing them provides an opportunity to make good the
damage but also to install double glazing to reduce the need for heating
the building in the winter, cutting down on bills.
This year’s draw raised an excellent £950 towards the costs of
the new windows. The first prize was £200 cash and there were eight
other prizes.
Result: The new windows were installed on the 21st December (see pictures above)
2005
Members’ superb response to the Redwell Bridge appeal continued and
a total of £1,376 was raised through the 2005 Grand Summer Draw.
Result: The new bridge at Redwell was installed in March 2006 and the hide moved and rebuilt successfully (see pictures above).
2004
The draw took place on November 6th 2004 and raised £859 for work on
hides at Holme.
Result: the money raised was used to help fund the replacement of the Car Park Hide at Holme in March 2006 (see pictures above)
2003
In 2003 the proceeds went towards replacing the Car Park hide which had to
be demolished in 2002 due to its state of disrepair. The draw took place
on Sunday 26th October at the Observatory and the first prize was a digital
camera. This event has raised over £850.
Result: the money raised was used to help fund the replacement of the Car Park Hide at Holme in March 2006 (see pictures above)
2002
Proceeds for the 2002 Grand Summer Draw were used for initial work on the
NOA’s Hempton Marsh reserve (see pictures).
GREAT NORTH RUN
NOA member Chris Creedy has taken part in the Great North Run for the last
3 years, and on each occasion he has raised sponsorship for the NOA. In
2004 the race took place on September 26th and Chris completed the gruelling
13 mile course in a time of 2 hours and 21 minutes, and raising a superb £260.
(See picture)
In 2005 Chris undertook the challenge again and raised £233.50 towards
the wheelchair access bridge at Redwell Marsh.
In 2006 Chris decided late that he would run the race a third year in succession,
but still managed to raise £100 towards the new Observatory windows.
A very special thank you to Chris for his endurance and support.
MOTH DAY
2006
July 22nd 2006
10.00am at Holme Bird Observatory.
This year’s moth day was an unprecedented success with a superb turnout,
and a very big catch! It was especially pleasing to see Peter Clarke attend
the day bringing some of his own moth catch. Our thanks also to Peter Tilley
for bringing many of his moths. The traps at Holme caught 336 moths of 68
species, including a Marbled Clover. The star of the show, however, was Peter
Clarke’s Oblique Striped, a first for the parish. Many thanks to all
who attended and made it such a successful day.
Our thanks also to the Norfolk Moth Group who spent a night moth trapping
at the NOA’s reserve at Walsey Hills producing the migrant tortrix
moth Cydia amplana which is a first for Norfolk, and Cnephasia pasiuana,
the second modern record for Norfolk. Special thanks to our members who attended
the night, and to Ken Saul of the Norfolk Moth Group for arranging and running
the visit.
2005
July 23rd 2005
The Annual moth day held on July 23rd at Holme was a great success this year,
with 238 moths of 63 species caught overnight. Of particular note were 8
superb Pine Hawk Moths, Privet Hawk moth, Poplar Hawk moth, two female Oak
Eggars, two Garden Tigers, 11 Ruby Tigers and a White Satin Moth. The NOA
would like to thank all who attended the day and also trustee Michael Rae,
whose loan of an extra moth trap made a significant contribution to the catch.
2004
July 10th 2004
A BIG THANKYOU to everyone who attended this year’s moth day on the
July 10th, despite the disappointing weather conditions. Heavy rain and a
cold night preceding the event inevitably discouraged both people and moths,
however, the event did go ahead. My thanks to the die-hard mothers who kept
it going. This was the first year in three where conditions were not favourable
so fingers crossed for 2005!
2003
July 12th 2003
The 2003 moth night was not the most successful in terms of moth numbers,
but offered a very respectable variety of some 65 moth species. Of particular
note were a Dark Sword-grass, two Star-worts, a Cream Bordered Green Pea,
a Light Emerald and the inevitable Humming-bird Hawk Moth. With special thanks
to all who attended this year, and happy mothing!
2002
August 3rd 2002
The moth day on August 3rd 2002 was also a great success, with suitable conditions
attracting over 150 different moths of over fifty species. The two regular
light traps were run as normal, and sugaring was also used to attract species
such as Common Rustic, Dark Arches, Angle Shades and Middle-barred Minor.
The stars of the show were two Poplar Hawk Moths and a Garden Tiger, but
unexpected species also included Mere Wainscot, Bordered Beauty and many
more. An all night vigil revealed that Natterjack toads are among the principal
predators the moths must contend with. Three large bats were also noted although
the species was not established. The Magpie was shooed off the trap at 4am
and the specimens not already safely inside the trap were taken out of harm’s
way.
Moth expert Adrian Riley made the morning very interesting and much was learned
by all who attended. We would like to thank Adrian for donating his time,
and also thank everyone who attended the moth day. A repeat will be made
next year!
CRICKET MATCH
2006
Sunday 30th July 2006
Sadly due to the demise of Holme Village cricket team, this match did not
take place. Our sincere thanks to all who volunteered to play – you
have a stay of execution!
2005
Sunday 28th July 2005
Annual Cricket Match has its Ups and Downs, writes Jed Andrews
Once again my hopes for a victory over the Holme village cricket team were
dashed. What should have been a victory turned into a 58 run loss, we had
a very good side assembled with most of our regular team playing including
Kevin Slaymaker, who makes the journey from Milton Keynes, and Leo Smith
who lives in Finchley. My son Douglas came up from Golders Green, London.
My nephew Gary Robinson, relatives Paul Redfarn and Andrew Langford, and
friend David Silk came up from Cambridge, and Chris Jones came over from
Norwich.
Holme Village went into bat first and set a target of 196 in their allotted
overs. Chris Jones and Kevin Slaymaker opened the NOA batting but we soon
lost the two openers and also fell behind the required run rate, until Paul
Redfarn entered the fray at number 5 and we began catching up. A very quick
knock produced 41 runs, but alas fell to a freak run-out going for an easy
single.
With only a single wicket to hit the incoming fielder gave an almighty kick
and had a direct hit. The game effectively over, yours truly then went out
to bat and, with only the tail enders to come, tried to stay there as long
as possible. At last Leo Smith got to bat after missing out two years ago,
but though determined to put on a good show, alas it was not to be. After
a great effort Leo was the last batsman to fall and the game was over for
another year.
The home side did have the advantage of a very fast out field after some
heavy rain before the match which, by the time we batted, had dried and slowed
down somewhat. However a little secret; Paul Redfarn is a county cricketer,
however he qualifies to play due to membership of the NOA. My other sons
Paul and Liam had set the atmosphere early on with the setting up of a barbeque
in one corner of the ground so with all the watching throng we were set for
yet another a great day. As always, we won both the bird race and the beer
drinking competition.
2004
Sunday 25th July 2004
Unfortunately for the first time in three years the match had to be cancelled
due to weather, but again after a rallying call to the troops we produced
another full squad of players, unfortunately several of them had already
started their journey before we could contact them to turn round and head
back home. A MASSIVE thank you to everyone who rallied to the cause. Its
no surprise that the Holme XI were quick to call the game off when faced
with such quality opposition, not to mention that my two sons were playing,
alongside Leo Smith. This fixture will be scheduled again next year and thanks
to Leo for producing a memorial trophy, which we will be playing for on an
annual basis.
2002
July 28th 2002
This year’s cricket match against Holme Village XI was held on the
28th July, and was again a great success, with thirty supporters turning
out to picnic in front of a spectacle of sporting prowess. The side was captained
once again by Chris Jones of Thetford. Man of the match goes to Glen Purviss,
who travelled from Birmingham to play for the side and scored a fine fifty
runs for the NOA team. Despite never having played cricket before, Paul Andrews
delighted his team-mates with an excellent wicket greeted with great enthusiasm
by his fellow players. The Dandys travelled en masse from Leicester, Leo
Smith came up from London and Andy Steed from Cambridge. Brian Lawton, an
NOA member who played for the opposition, much to our advantage, bowled with
unique style which required the batsmen to use some fancy footwork. The bird
list, of 27 species, included Goshawk, Tree Sparrow, Egyptian Goose, Marsh
Harrier and Golden Plover. Butterflies were also out in force with a list
of seven species which included a most excellent White-letter Hairstreak.
A big thank you must go to all players of both the NOA and Holme cricket
clubs who made a big effort to make the event a success. The camaraderie
continued at the King’s Head well into the night. An excellent day
was had by all, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone
who participated, and all those who turned out to support the event. We will
be looking for players for next year at around the same time – all
abilities welcome!
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Associations AGM is held in the autumn, usually in Old Hunstanton Social
Club. The meeting is open to members who can meet the Council of Trustees,
ask questions and air their views.
Wild About Norfolk
A family event held each year, bringing together all the wildlife organisations
operating in Norfolk. Each organisation has a stand and can involve visitors
through displays and competitions. The NOA has been represented at Wild
About Norfolk for several years.
Holme Village Gardens
Many of the gardens in Holme Village open to visitors during July and the
NOA has organised moth trapping and bird ringing in one garden as an attraction,
both to help raise awareness of the NOA locally, and to help raise money
for Holme church (See picture).
Slide Show Talks
Following the donation of a digital projector earlier this year, the NOA
is now equipped to do its own slide show talks.
Warden Jed Andrews will be giving a slide show talk for the NWT at Hempton Village Hall on Monday 23rd June at 7.30, and Assistant Warden Sophie Barker will be giving a talk on Long Point both at the Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society on April 17th at Weston Longville Village Hall, 7.30pm, and at NarVOS on Tuesday 30th September at The Barn Theatre, The Sacred Heart Convent School, Mangate Street, Swaffham, at 7.30pm.
To find out more contact the Observatory direct.