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 Friday 5th June 2020

More rain today though clearing in the afternoon. A Spoonbill was on the Broadwater and 7 Black-tailed Godwits were at the back of the grazing marshes. Two Turnstones flew over the pines, and a Cuckoo, Barn Owl, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warbler and a pair of Stonechats were recorded.

With the poor weather there were no butterflies or dragonflies again today, but moths today included 3 Small Elephant Hawks, a Silvery Y, a Willow Beauty, Treble Lines, Vine's Rustic, White Ermine, 5 Cinnabars, a Rosy Wave, Pine Hawk, Mottled Rustic and Smoky Wainscot.

At least 33 Early Marsh Orchids, ssp Coccinea, are flowering around the pond (photo below).



Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
For all this news, in the field as it happens, subscribe to Rare Bird Alert for as little as 14p per day
Norfolk 2.Crossbills just north of How Hill flew NE over Sharp Street at 2.40pm
Norfolk 4.Spoonbills Cley NWT still by East Bank
Norfolk BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER Hickling Broad NWT on new scrape near visitor centre early a'noon then flew north
Norfolk no sign of Little Stint Hickling Broad NWT on Rush Hill Scrape from Weavers' Way
Norfolk BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER till 11.15am 1ml ESE of Potter Heigham at Potter Heigham Marshes then flew towards Rush Hill Scrape. Use car park at Lathams (£8.50 per day) +take track ENE 1ml NR29 5JE TG.438.193