Holme Bird Observatory (Header)

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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 16th September 2020

The day got off to a good start with a Pied Flycatcher and a Willow Warbler recorded along the East Bank followed by a Hawfinch briefly around the Pines, but after that unfortunately things quietened down from a migration perspective.
Birds noted in and around the reserve during the day included single Kingfisher, Spotted Redshank, Pintail, Grey Wagtail, Whinchat and Siskin(2).
Sea-watching produced two Manx Shearwaters, four Arctic Skuas and single Bonxie, Guillemot and Red-throated Diver.
Kingfisher on the Broadwater this morning.

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT
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Norfolk 2.Little Stints (both juvs) Titchwell RSPB still on freshmarsh at 2.59pm
Norfolk Pec Sand juv still Dickleburgh Moor NR at 11.30am (+2.Spotted Redshanks) TM.173.831
Norfolk GREENISH WARBLER 1.5mls NNE of Wells at East Hills at south end at 1.03pm (4.Curlew Sands on mudflats) cTF.925.458
Norfolk Red-breasted Fly 1ml ENE of Stiffkey just north of A149 at Stiffkey Fen along track this morning tho elusive (+36.Spoonbills still). Use A149 layby, walk east +take footpath north along west side of River Stiffkey TF.983.437
Norfolk 2.Curlew Sands (both juvs) Snettisham RSPB still on The Wash at 11.30am +4.Spotted Redshanks still
Norfolk Spotted Redshank y'day Cley NWT on Arnold's Marsh from East Bank at 6.28pm
Norfolk 6.Cattle Egrets Welney WWT still on main lagoon +Great White Egret still
Norfolk 4.Cattle Egrets Burnham Overy still: 3.on saltmarsh, 1.with cattle
Norfolk Hawfinch Holme Dunes briefly
Norfolk LESSER YELLOWLEGS juv still 8.50am 2mls S.of Filby at Runham at Runham Swim on pool E.of windpump then flew +seemed to land S.of river c500yds west of mill. Pk nr barns at S.end of Swim Road +take f'path W NR29 3EH cTG.474.101
Norfolk Balearic S'water flew east past Weybourne at 8.01am
Norfolk LESSER YELLOWLEGS juv again 2mls south of Filby at Runham at Runham Swim on pools just east of windpump at 7am then flew west. Park near barns at south end of Swim Road +take footpath west NR29 3EH cTG.474.10
Norfolk 29.Common Cranes y'day Hickling Broad NWT at Stubb Mill roost at 6.30pm