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.

COVID-19 Update Monday 12th April 2021

Further to the lifting of restrictions on Monday 12th April 2021 the NOA reserves and car parks remain open to visitors but hides remain closed. We are hoping to be able to open hides to visitors on Monday 17th May 2021 in line with expected changes to government restrictions, and will post further updates on this page prior to the changes commencing.
We continue to thank all our members and visitors for their patience, and for continuing to keep our staff and visitors safe.



Trial of Booking System for NWT Holme Dunes From Saturday 24th April



Owing to recent visitor numbers, NWT Holme Dunes Reserve is trialling a booking system for its Car Park. Until 6th September 2021 those members and visitors wishing to park in the NWT Car Park will need to book online for Weekends, Bank Holidays, or in School Holidays to ensure they can get a place. Booking is not necessary outside these times, and is not required for access to any other part of the reserve. Parking remains free for NWT members and blue badge holders.
This may affect many of our members, and we would like to clarify that NOA members do not need to book to use the NOA car park at any time between dawn and dusk. For NOA members who also belong to NWT and wish to visit both reserves, please park in the NOA car park if you do not wish to book in advance for the Holme Dunes Reserve Car Park.

Monday 14th December 2015

Seawatching produced 4 Pintail, 3 Eider, 500 Common Scoters, 4 Velvet Scoters, 9 Goldeneye, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Goosanders, 12 Red-throated Divers, 27 Great Crested Grebes, 10 Kittiwakes and 2 Guillemots. Also of note were a ring-tail Hen Harrier hunting the lavender marsh, a Waxwing west over the forestry, Merlin, Peregrine, 3 Shorelark and 2 Snow Buntings still on the east end of Holme beach, a single Twite in Thornham Harbour, and a single Redpoll over calling.

Norfolk News from Birdnet
> Norfolk Juvenile Pallid Harrier Snettisham RSPB at 15:00 TF650328
> Norfolk Juvenile Pallid Harrier Snettisham RSPB at 11:05 TF650328
> Norfolk Juvenile Pallid Harrier Snettisham RSPB + Ringtail Hen Harrier TF650328
> Norfolk Cattle Egret SW/of Sea Palling this a/noon by Hickling Road opposite Lound Cottages NR12 0UX TG432271
> Norfolk 3 Shorelark Thornham Harbour 14:10 at beach on W/side of Harbour mouth TF728441 TF728441
> Norfolk 20 Taiga Bean Goose Cantley Marshes RSPB TG378039
> Norfolk Great White Egret Snettisham RSPB at 11:00 TF650328
> Norfolk 2 Shorelark Burnham Overy Staithe N/of Gun Hill on the beach
> Norfolk Adult Black Brant Cley NWT E/of Babcock Hide + 150 Dark-bellied Brent Goose NR25 7SA TG049441
> Norfolk 9 Twite Blakeney Freshmarsh
> Norfolk Short-eared Owl Sculthorpe Moor NR21 9GN TF901303
> Norfolk 13 Snow Bunting Winterton-on-Sea on North Beach late a/noon
> Norfolk Red-necked Grebe Brancaster Staithe in the harbour PE31 8BJ TF794442
> Norfolk Adult Shag Wells at Wells Quay NR23 1AR TF917437
> Norfolk Water Pipit Titchwell RSPB on drained pool W/of main f/p PE31 8BB TF759436
> Norfolk Waxwing Sheringham at St.Joseph Road NR26 8BQ TG159435
> Norfolk Purple Sandpiper Sheringham NR26 8BQ TG159435
> Norfolk 2 Velvet Scoter Titchwell RSPB on the sea PE31 8BB TF759436
> Norfolk Red-necked Grebe Brancaster Staithe showing well in the harbour mid mrng PE31 8BJ TF794442