Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

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COVID Update Monday 17th May 2021

From Monday 17th May 2021 the NOA is pleased to re-open its reserve hides to single households at a time. We will still be advising the wearing of a face covering when in NOA hides. Your continued understanding and support is very much appreciated.




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 11th April 2016

Highlights today included a surprise and rather smart 1st year male Pied flycatcher in and around the NWT car park, with Grasshopper Warbler,  Redstart and Ring Ouzel also on the reserve. A small flock of six Redpolls were in the west end of the pines next to the observatory disabled Car Park. On the sea an unseasonal Manx Shearwater was seen by several observers and counts included 9 Red-breasted Mergansers and 7 Great Crested Grebes.

At Walsey hirundines took shelter over Snipe's Marsh from the strong easterly winds, with c. 40 Sand Martins and 18 Swallow lingering to mid-morning; a White Wagtail flew in high from the north, landing on the roof of the hide briefly, and 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls flew north west over the reserve to the marshes. In the scrub recently arrived migrants continued to sing, with 4 Willow Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff and 6 Blackcap noted. Greenshank and Ruff were recorded along the East Bank and 2 Wheatear were in the Eye field late afternoon.

Female Tawny Mining Bee, one of many to emerge over the last week - Walsey Hills, April 2016

Norfolk News from Birdnet
> Norfolk White Stork (presumed escape) S/of King's Lynn in grass field N/of Setchey Road this evng PE30 2QA TF631204
> Norfolk White Stork (presumed escape) Acle by A47 NR13 3AS TG413116
> Norfolk White Stork flew S/over King's Lynn at 12:40 PE30 2QA TF631204
> Norfolk Adult Spoonbill Burnham Overy Staithe on marsh from harbour road
> Norfolk White Stork (presumed escape) flew over Cantley Beet Factory NR13 3JA TG389037
> Norfolk No Further Sign of Little Gull Whitlingham CP between 17:45 & 18:00
> Norfolk 2 Little Gull Whitlingham CP at Whitlingham Broad Ctry Park at e/end
> Norfolk Pied Flycatcher Hickling Broad NWT NR12 0BW TG429221
> Norfolk Black-necked Grebe Tottenhill GPs showing well at 16:50
> Norfolk Male Ring Ouzel Beeston Bump late a/noon but mobile NR26 8DB TG167432
> Norfolk 2 Ring Ouzel Winterton North Dunes NR29 4BQ TG496198
> Norfolk 2 Male Ring Ouzel Snettisham RSPB at 14:30 on Beach Road in paddock behind fish & chip shop TF650328
> Norfolk 2 Male Ring Ouzel Sheringham on golf course by railway embankment at 10:30 then flew off NR26 8BQ TG159435
> Norfolk Male Pied Flycatcher Holme NWT at 12:15 in pines near C/pk TF715449
> Norfolk Male Ring Ouzel West Runton at 09:00 in C/pk briefly
> Norfolk Little Gull Colney GPs early a/noon
> Norfolk Ring Ouzel Holme at 11:40 in paddocks TF715449
> Norfolk 4 Spotted Redshank Breydon Water NR31 9QB TG464048
> Norfolk Spotted Redshank Breydon Water NR31 9QB TG464048
> Norfolk 2 Male Ring Ouzel Titchwell RSPB at 06:50 N/of Chosley drying barns then flew/E PE31 8BB TF759436
> Norfolk 2 Redstart Titchwell RSPB + Firecrest & 2 Velvet Scoter PE31 8BB TF759436
> Norfolk Little Ringed Plover Snettisham Village off Beach Road in paddock behind fish & chip shop TF650328