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 29th July 2020

A much calmer day weather wise today. Birds of note included a vocal flyover flock of six Crossbills, a Great White Egret again on the grazing marsh with at least 150 Black-tailed Godwits also present.
Highlights from a Sea watch were three Arctic Terns and two Little Gulls.
Moths caught today included five Pine Hawkmoths, four Drinkers, three Knotgrass and singles of Rosy Footman, Saltmarsh Plume, Ear Moth and Poplar Grey.
Drinker

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 14 per day
Norfolk Great S'water flew north past Sea Palling at 7.05am
Norfolk Ruddy Shelduck Cley NWT c150yds east of Babcock Hide at 12.15pm
Norfolk large s'water sp flew west past Cley NWT tho distant
Norfolk 2.Great White Egrets Holkham Freshmarsh at west end from A149 +Spoonbill flew east
Norfolk Spoonbill Cley NWT still on Pat's Pool mid morning
Norfolk 4.Common Cranes Welney WWT still
Norfolk Garganey fem just east of Wells still at North Point Pools by track north of A149 +1/3ml E of steam railway entrance on east pool. Keep to public rights of way +do not enter from railway stn TF.932.431
Norfolk 7.Spoonbills Titchwell RSPB on freshmarsh at 10.27am +Spotted Redshank still
Norfolk Spotted Redshank Titchwell RSPB still on Volunteer Marsh at 9.33am
Norfolk 30.Spoonbills 1ml ENE of Stiffkey still just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen at 9.30am. Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk 4.Spoonbills Titchwell RSPB at 8.22am: 2.on freshmarsh, 2.flew over