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.

Saturday 4th June 2016

A damp grey and very misty day, with brief sunny interlude which prompted the appearance of several butterfly species including Painted Lady, Green Hairstreak and Brown Argus. Birds of note included a reeling Grasshopper Warbler and a pair of Med Gulls. A Cetti's Warbler was singing regularly in front of the Obs, a sound clip is available below. Click the play button to hear the song, a Common Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Black-headed Gull can also be heard.


Singing Cetti's Warbler - Holme Bird Obs, June 2016

A very murky morning at Walsey Hills gave way to bright sunshine in the afternoon. The female Red-backed Shrike present since Thursday was again seen to the south of Snipe's Marsh and on the reserve, with a constant stream of other species mobbing it. The best of the rest included a Red Kite and a Mediterranean Gull high over.

Interest otherwise was drawn to the migrant Lepidoptera on show with several thousand Diamond-back Moths present around the reserve and surrounding field edges; 22 Silver Ys and 2 Painted Lady butterflies also of note. Resident species present included 2 Wall Browns, 2 Speckled Woods and a Holly Blue.