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.

Holme Bird Observatory Wednesday 15th July 2020


A Great White Egret and 15 Black-tailed Godwits were seen over the grazing marsh and a Green Woodpecker was seen near the Car Park. A sea watch produced counts of 237 Sandwich Tern, 200 Knot, 16 Common Scoters and three Gannets.
The moth trap produced over 40 species again, which included Garden Tiger, Pine and Poplar Hawk-moths, Coxcomb Prominent, Drinker and Chinese Character.

Coxcomb Prominent

Chinese Character
Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk Wood Sand Cley NWT from East Bank
Norfolk 6.Garganey (ad.fem +5.young) y'day Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Norfolk 3.Cattle Egrets Burnham Norton with cattle at midday. 7.Spoonbills on pools. Great White Egret flew east
Norfolk Large Tortoiseshell butterfly still 10am Strumpshaw Fen RSPB in cherry tree by Reception Hide but no further sign by 12.20pm
Norfolk 2.Velvet Scoters flew west past Cley NWT 8am-10.30am
Norfolk no further sign of Large Tortoiseshell butterfly Strumpshaw Fen RSPB in cherry tree by Reception Hide by 12.20pm
Norfolk Large Tortoiseshell butterfly still Strumpshaw Fen RSPB in cherry tree by Reception Hide at 9am
Norfolk Black Redstart Sea Palling at allotment this morning
Norfolk Great White Egret Cley NWT still in North Drain east of East Bank at 7.45am