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.

COVID-19 Update Monday 12th April 2021

Further to the lifting of restrictions on Monday 12th April 2021 the NOA reserves and car parks remain open to visitors but hides remain closed. We are hoping to be able to open hides to visitors on Monday 17th May 2021 in line with expected changes to government restrictions, and will post further updates on this page prior to the changes commencing.
We continue to thank all our members and visitors for their patience, and for continuing to keep our staff and visitors safe.



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.

Holme Bird Observatory Sunday 12th April 2020

Another very mild spring day with south south-westerlies and hazy sunshine. There were signs that further migrants had arrived with a Cuckoo calling on the reserve early morning. An afternoon seawatch produced a single drake Red-breasted Merganser, 2 summer plumage Great Crested Grebes, and 14 Sandwich Terns passing offshore. Two Swallows loitered over the east bank in the afternoon and 2 Cetti's Warblers, 12 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, 20 Blackcaps, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, and 5 Sedge Warblers were recorded.

The high temperatures suited insects with 13 species of moths in the traps; these were a Light Brown Apple Moth, an Early Grey, a Double-striped Pug, 3 Powdered Quakers, 3 Hebrew Characters, 1 Pebble Prominent, 6 Small Quakers, a Common Quaker, Angle Shades, Red Chestnut, Northern Drab, Pine Beauty and a single specimen of Acleris cristana, the Tufted Button.

Butterflies included at least 7 Green Hairstreaks, Small Tortoiseshell and 4 Green-veined Whites.

A male Emperor Moth hatched from its cocoon in the Observatory building.






Top to Bottom: Pine Beauty, Angle Shades, and three stages of emergence of the Emperor male.

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Ring Ouzel Heacham South Beach this morning
Norfolk Short-eared Owl NE of Chedgrave still at Hardley Staithe
Norfolk Black Redstart male singing still Norwich on Westlegate at Aviva at 9am
Norfolk Ring Ouzel fem just west of Aylmerton at 8.10am
Norfolk Ring Ouzel Snettisham Coastal Park at 11.29am +3.Grasshopper Wblrs
Norfolk 2.Spoonbills Holkham Freshmarsh still
Norfolk 2.Shorelarks still Holkham Bay 500yds east of Holkham Gap at roped-off area TF.896.458
Norfolk Tree Pipit flew west over Sheringham at 7.50am
Norfolk 4.Ring Ouzels near Sheringham at 6.55am
Norfolk Cattle Egret Wormegay still in field near High Bridge
Norfolk: Woodlark Cley flew west over village at 6.57am