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 Update Monday 17th May 2021

From Monday 17th May 2021 the NOA is pleased to re-open its reserve hides to single households at a time. We will still be advising the wearing of a face covering when in NOA hides. Your continued understanding and support is very much appreciated.




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 Friday 2nd October 2020

A day threatening rain and with strengthening winds from the east, highlights today were 23 Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank at Thornham Harbour, and a Peregrine over the marsh. A late Swallow flew over the car park and a Yellow-browed Warbler was seen near the Heligoland trap and moved to the area opposite the Richardson Hide. A movement of Blackcaps was noted with 20 counted in the recording area and at least 1 Lesser Whitethroat was still present. Also of interest were 3 Redpolls, 2 Crossbills and a Siskin.

A Humming-bird Hawk Moth was on the buddleia and in the traps a Red-green Carpet, 2 Feathered Ranunculus, a Beaded Chestnut, Large Yellow Underwing, 5 Lunar Underwings, a Large Wainscot and a Black Rustic were caught.

Norfolk News from RARE BIRD ALERT

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Norfolk 3.Lapland Buntings Waxham (+Great Northern Diver flew south)
Norfolk Arctic Tern juv Kelling Water Meadow still midday
Norfolk 2.Great White Egrets Welney WWT still viewed north from Lyle Hide at 1.51pm
Norfolk 3.Spoonbills Stiffkey flew towards Morston at 1.08pm
Norfolk 3.Caspian Gulls (near-ad +2.1w) Salthouse at Beach Road this morning
Norfolk Black-throated Diver flew west past Cley 8am-midday +juv.Arctic Tern
Norfolk Red-breasted Fly 1w Weybourne Camp this morning (+Snow Bunting)
Norfolk 16.Spoonbills y'day Titchwell RSPB
Norfolk Spoonbill just E.of Wells again at North Point Pools by track N of A149 +1/3ml E of steam railway entrance. Keep to public rights of way +don't enter from r'way station TF.932.431
Norfolk 5.Great White Egrets y'day Titchwell RSPB
Norfolk 4.Y-br.Wblrs Holkham NNR between Salt's Hole +Joe Jordan Hide. 2.Great White Egrets on west side of Holkham Freshmarsh
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Stiffkey at Campsite Wood by sewage works still 11.35am with tit flock
Norfolk Red-backed Shrike 1w west of Titchwell RSPB still on Thornham Marsh in hedge viewed from A149 at 11.18am
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr 1ml east of Cley still south of A149 at Walsey Hills NOA on west side of track below observatory at 10.46am
Norfolk Curlew Sand Breydon Water still early morning
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Stiffkey east of campsite still 10.16am
Norfolk 2.Curlew Sands (both juvs) Snettisham RSPB still on The Wash at 9.39am
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Holkham Pines east of Washington Hide by boardwalk at 9.18am
Norfolk 2.Purple Sands Titchwell RSPB still on beach near old gun emplacement at end of main path at 9.35am
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Holkham NNR near Salt's Hole with tit flock