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 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