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.

Sunday 5th June 2016

The first bird noted at Walsey Hills this morning was a Spoonbill that flew over North Foreland and Snipe's Marsh to the Serpentine where it was present feeding during the day. There was unfortunately no further sign of the female Red-backed Shrike; other interest was limited to around 20 Swifts present in the morning, taking insects over the pines, 3 singing Cetti's Warblers and small numbers of Sand Martins and Swallows moving east over the marsh.

Butterflies were surprisingly scarce with only one each of Painted Lady, Wall Brown and Speckled Wood seen. Many hundreds of Diamond-back Moths were still present, as were 6 Silver Ys.

An obliging Silver Y at rest near the picnic benches - Walsey Hills, June 2016

Norfolk News from Birdnet
> Norfolk Spoonbill Titchwell RSPB + 3 Little Gull & Spotted Redshank PE31 8BB TF759436
> Norfolk 2 Garganey Welney WWT from Lyle Hide PE14 9TN TL548946
> Norfolk Short-eared Owl Winterton North Dunes + Redwing NR29 4BQ TG496198