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

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – NOA RESERVES TO RE-OPEN FROM MONDAY 13TH JULY 2020

We are delighted to announce that we will be welcoming visitors back to Holme Bird Observatory from Monday 13th July 2020, and we are very much looking forward to seeing you once again. Thank you to all our members and visitors for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Please be aware that we are not yet able to restore full access.

Some restrictions must continue and these are as follows: Hempton Marsh and Walsey Hills reserves will be re-opening to visitors on 13th July, but hides on these reserves will remain closed. At Holme the following hides will remain closed for the time being: Redwell Marsh hide, Car Park hide, Sea-watching hide, Dell hide and Broadwater hide. The Bus-Stop, Dowson and Richardson hides will be accessible to one household at a time, and the viewing platform and seating area outside the cordon will be available as well, with social distancing in place. The Observatory building will also remain closed to visitors, but a member of staff will be able to come out to meet you. We do regret that for now visitors will not be able to empty moth traps with our staff, but we will retain specimens of special interest for visitors to view at a safe distance. We will continue to charge day permit fees.

We are very sorry not to offer a fuller visitor experience just yet, but these measures are for everyone's safety and we do appreciate your understanding. We will continue to review hide closures, and will post any changes on our website.

Saturday 29th August 2015

On the sea today 20 Common Scoters, 30 Gannets, a Great Crested Grebe, 3 Arctic  Skuas, a Great Skua, 280 Sandwich Terns, and 250 Common Terns were counted. Also of note were a Turtle Dove, and a Garden Warbler.

Norfolk News from Birdnet
> Norfolk Male Bluethroat Winterton North Dunes at 18:05 at SE pool NR29 4BQ TG496198
> Norfolk Male Bluethroat Winterton North Dunes at SE pool late a/noon but elusive NR29 4BQ TG496198
> Norfolk 19 Spoonbill Stiffkey this a/noon. NR23 1QL TF975431
> Norfolk Juvenile Red-backed Shrike Kelling Water Meadows at 15:50 on bushes by pond. NR25 7ED TG095436
> Norfolk Male Bluethroat Winterton North Dunes at 14:57 on SE pool NR29 4BQ TG496198
> Norfolk Juvenile Montagu's Harrier SE/of Pulham St.Mary at 12:30
> Norfolk Juvenile Honey Buzzard S/over West Somerton at 11:50
> Norfolk 1st Summer Caspian Gull North Waltham in nearby fields
> Norfolk Juvenile Red-backed Shrike Kelling Water Meadows at 08:30 on fence behind pool + 2 Wood Sandpiper NR25 7ED TG095436
> Norfolk 2 Whinchat Winterton North Dunes this a/noon NR29 4BQ TG496198
> Norfolk 4 Wood Sandpiper Hickling Broad NWT this a/noon. NR12 0BW TG429221
> Norfolk 2 Whinchat Titchwell RSPB in grazing meadow. PE31 8BB TF759436
> Norfolk 4 Whinchat Burnham Overy Staithe + Little Gull
> Norfolk Osprey Bawburgh Lakes today.
> Norfolk Short-eared Owl Winterton North Dunes NR29 4BQ TG496198
> Norfolk Pied Flycatcher Winterton North Dunes late mrng. + 2 Redstart & 4 Whinchat NR29 4BQ TG496198
> Norfolk Wood Sandpiper Breydon Water RSPB + 2 JUV Curlew Sandpiper & JUV Arctic Tern NR31 9QB TG464048
> Norfolk Pied Flycatcher Winterton South Dunes by public steps. NR29 4BQ TG496198
> Norfolk 3 Curlew Sandpiper Titchwell RSPB on the freshmarsh + 14 Little Stint & 2 Spotted Redshank PE31 8BB TF759436