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 – Tuesday 29th DECEMBER 2020

Further to the announcement of a Tier 4 (Stay at home) lockdown in Norfolk, the NOA has closed all hides on its nature reserves. While we would discourage anyone from travelling too far during this crucial time, our reserves themselves will remain open for local visitors and usual charges will apply for non-members. Please follow government advice, and respect social distancing at all times. We will restore access to our facilities as and when government restrictions permit.

We are very grateful for your understanding and support.

Sunday 1st May 2016

Light southerlies produced a window of movement for many species today with highlights including 2 Red Kites drifting over west, an Osprey which passed offshore, 5 Whimbrel near Thornham Harbour, 5 Little Terns and a Common Tern west on the sea, a Short-eared Owl on the NWT reserve, 1 Hobby passing through, a Peregrine, 2 Sand Martins, 40+ Swallows, 6 House Martins, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 20+ Willow Warblers, 8 Blackcaps, 6 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Whitethroats, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Turtle Doves, 3 Cuckoos, 14 Sedge Warblers, 2 Reed Warblers, a Ring Ouzel, Whinchat and Stonechat in the dunes on the NWT, 30+ Yellow Wagtails with the cattle on the grazing marsh, and 4 Redpolls over calling.

A search in the morning from Walsey Hills for the Temminck's Stint seen the previous evening proved fruitless, but on the marsh a lone Spoonbill was actively feeding. Elsewhere on Pope's and Arnold's marshes were 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 12 Ringed Plovers, 3 Ruff, 29 Dunlins and 2 Yellow Wagtails - 58 Brent Geese also remained. In the scrub and reeds at Walsey 6 Chiffchaffs, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Whitethroat, 6 Blackcaps, 4 Sedge Warblers and 1 Reed Warbler were singing or feeding. Overhead a small number of Swallows, a party of 3 Yellow Wagtails and a Siskin flew west, whilst 11 Common Swifts were noted moving along the beach.

One of several typically confiding Common Lizards - Walsey Hills, May 2016