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 1st August 2017


Two Great White Egrets were again at the west end of the Broadwater and at least a single Common and Green Sandpiper and a Greenshank were also present. A Turtle Dove was singing early morning opposite Redwell Marsh and a Wheatear and two Stonechat were along the East Bank.

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERTFor all this news, in the field as it happens, subscribe to Rare Bird Alert for as little as 14p per day

Norfolk 36.Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen at 2.35pm. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk 3.BLACK-WINGED STILTS (male +3.juvs) still Potter Heigham Marshes at 1pm +ad.Cattle Egret still tho mobile (+7.Spoonbills 4.Garganey Wood Sand). Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take path ENE for 1ml +view north from bank
Norfolk Turtle Dove male singing Seething still 8.30am
Norfolk 3.Little Stints Breydon Water briefly
Norfolk Arctic Tern juv Gorleston on groyne
Norfolk Great White Egret Titchwell RSPB on freshmarsh +2.Spoonbills 2.Little Gulls
Norfolk BLACK-WINGED STILT y'day still Potter Heigham Marshes still in evng (+6.Spoonbills 2.Wood Sands). Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take path ENE for 1ml +view north from bank