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 Wednesday 5th August 2020


Another blustery day with the only sightings of note being a small movement of Sandwich Terns (23) and Common Terns (21) west into the Wash during a half hour sea watch.

The moth trap was unsurprisingly quiet, due primarily to the weather conditions though still produced 30 species, with the highlight being a worn, but still impressive, Star-wort.

Star-wort

Small and smart in its own way, a Thicket Knot-horn (Acrobsis Suavella) also in the trap 
Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERTFor all this news, in the field as it happens, subscribe to Rare Bird Alert for as little as 14p per day
Norfolk White-tailed Eagle juv 2mls west of Wighton over field just west of B1105 west of Crabbe Castle Farm at c2.30pm TF.904.395 [from Isle of Wight reintroduction scheme]
Norfolk Little Stint ad Titchwell RSPB still on freshmarsh at 2.15pm
Norfolk 2.Southern Migrant Hawker dragonflies Thompson Common still right of main car park on dry pit beyond 1st muddy pit this morning
Norfolk 5.Cattle Egrets (2.juvs) between Burnham Norton +Burnham Deepdale still on marshes at 8.45am +45+Spoonbills
Norfolk Great White Egret Breydon Water
Norfolk 2.Curlew Sands Snettisham RSPB still +15.Spotted Redshanks 4.Spoonbills
Norfolk White Stork flew west over Cromer at 8.36am
Norfolk no further sign of White Stork Overstrand /Royal Cromer Golf Course by 8.27am
Norfolk White Stork flew low west over Overstrand at c7.44am +may have landed on Cromer Golf Course