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.

Tuesday 26th January 2016

As predicted a very windy day, which meant little of note on the reserve other than a female Stonechat which could be found sheltering in the lee of the wind behind the observatory. On the sea a single Goldeneye and six Red-breasted Mergansers were noted. Large numbers of geese were again present on the grazing marsh, with around 1500 Pink-feet and 300 Brent Geese present.

Norfolk News from Birdnet
> Norfolk Serin Downham Market at 14:00 on rough ground off concrete road to sewage works N/of level crossing & E/of railway.Park by Fairfield Road & walk N/for 200yds
> Norfolk Great White Egret Wof Norwich at Bowthorpe Marsh at 11:00 N/of Watton Road by River Yare TG178080
> Norfolk 3 Shorelark Burnham Overy Dunes at Gun Hill on beach near red buoy at 10:54 PE31 8JJ TF879455
> Norfolk Juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard SSE/of Titchwell at Choseley Drying Barns at 10:30 E/of drying barns by Chalkpit Lane PE31 8PQ TF757420
> Norfolk 5 Hen Harrier Warham Greens late a/noon NR23 1QD TF943437
> Norfolk Slavonian Grebe Titchwell RSPB + Water Pipit, 2 Spotted Redshank & 12 Red-crested Pochard PE31 8BB TF759436
> Norfolk Black Redstart Sheringham near on Esplanade near Burlington Hotel by toilet block at 14:15 NR26 8BQ TG159435
> Norfolk 20 Snow Bunting Winterton at 09:00 by beach c/pk NR29 4BQ TG496198
> Norfolk 20 Twite Thornham Harbour near Coal Barn at 11:00 TF728441 TF728441
> Norfolk 22 Snow Bunting 500yds E/of Holkham Gap 12:30
> Norfolk Male Golden Pheasant Wolferton Triangle on N/side at 08:50 PE35 6EJ TF672278