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 Monday 22nd June 2020

A pleasant but breezy day with plenty of sunshine, the drake Wigeon was still beside the Broadwater today and a single Spoonbill was at the far west end. Two Med Gulls were flying over calling and a Cuckoo was still about, with 25 Swifts, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 6 Whitethroats, a Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Sedge Warblers a Reed Warbler, 2 Bullfinches and in the pines at the Obs 6 Crossbills came down to drink at the Dell, but didn't hang around.

A Black-tailed Skimmer and a Blue-tailed Damselfly were on the wing near the pond, and Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral and Painted Lady were also noted, if windswept!

Moths included Small Blood-vein, Buff Tip, 9 Cinnabar, 7 Bordered White, 4 Diamond-back, a Common Footman, 2 Common Swift, a Snout, Pine Hawk, Privet Hawk, 2 Large Yellow Underwing, 2 Rosy Wave, a Poplar Hawk, Shore Wainscot, Mottled Rustic, 2 Sand Darts, a Common Rustic, Striped Wainscot and Double Square-spot.

Below: Shore Wainscot and Double Square-spot




Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Little Gull Cley flew east past beach car park at 12.45pm
Norfolk Wood Sand just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml east of steam railway entrance. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk 25.Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen at 11.30am. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk Turtle Dove Kelling Heath