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.

Monday 4th January 2016

A sunny and pleasant start to the day, with birds of note from a local perspective at least included an exceptionally high count of 36 Pochard (5 females) on the broadwater, the pair of Stonechats still around the observatory and a Chiffchaff trapped and ringed. On the sea birds seen included four Long-tailed Duck, four Velvet Scoter, three Gannets, and single Red-necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver. The three Shorelarks remained in the mouth of Thornham Harbour with around 23 Twite still present in the harbour itself.

Norfolk News from Birdnet
> Norfolk Lesser Yellowlegs Breydon Water RSPB on mudflats + 3 Spotted Redshank & Short-eared Owl NR31 9QB TG464048
> Norfolk No Sign of Juvenile Pallid Harrier Flitcham around Abbey Farm at 11:40 PE31 6BU TF726266
> Norfolk Lesser Yellowlegs Reported Burgh Castle on far bank by Berney Arms TG476049
> Norfolk Rough-legged Buzzard Choseley Drying Barns flew S/from Chalkpit Road to trees at 15:45 PE31 8PQ TF757420
> Norfolk Great White Egret Welney WWT from Lyle Hide PE14 9TN TL548946
> Norfolk 2 Taiga Bean Goose Cantley Marshes RSPB at 14:55 TG378039
> Norfolk 8 Taiga Bean Goose Buckenham Marshes RSPB today NR13 4HW TG351056
> Norfolk Lapland Bunting Blakeney Freshmarsh at 11:15 in NW/corner + 11 Twite
> Norfolk 3 Shorelark Holme Dunes NWT 11:19 at E/end of beach by Thornham Harbour mouth
> Norfolk 23 Shorelark W/of Holkham Gap at 10:38 walk N/on left path from Lady Ann's Drive to view dunes