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 Saturday 24th October 2020

A blustery day with a strong south-westerly making birding difficult on the reserve, highlights included 5 Tundra Bean Geese on the grazing marsh during the morning, and on the sea 500+ Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Divers, 4 Gannets, Great Crested Grebe and a Guillemot. A flock of 320 Golden Plover was on the grazing marsh south of the Hun, and 250+ Lapwings were also noted. A Hobby and a Peregrine were seen.

 

The Dusky Warbler was very elusive but a sighting was reported again near the Heligoland trap mid morning. Three Cetti's Warblers,a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and a flyover Rock Pipit were also of interest.

A Red-flanked Bluetail was still present near the Golf Course, and a Little Bunting flew west over the NWT reserve.

 

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 14p per day

Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne still 2.45pm in willow clump just south of beach car park TG.109.435

Norfolk RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL fem/1w.male Holme still 3.45pm in brambles at east end of golf course

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck drk still 3.15pm Holkham Park Lake at south end

Norfolk 2.OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS Stiffkey 400yds east of Stiffkey Fen on North Coast Path at 1.05pm then flew to marsh

Norfolk Hawfinch Lynford Arboretum still in paddock this morning

Norfolk 9.Common Cranes Potter Heigham Marshes

Norfolk Rough-legged Buzzard Burnham Overy still 3.03pm over dunes viewed from track to Gun Hill

Norfolk LESSER YELLOWLEGS still Welney WWT in flight with Greenshanks viewed from Main Observatory then lost to view

Norfolk RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL fem/1w.male Holme still 2.57pm in brambles at east end of golf course

Norfolk EASTERN STONECHAT sp (probably Stejneger's Stonechat) Holkham Freshmarsh still in NW corner by 5-bar gate viewed from hill at west end of Holkham Pines TF.869.451

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck drk still c2.20pm Holkham Park Lake

Norfolk Lapland Bunting flew east over Weybourne Camp 9.10am-10.45am (+Great White Egret east +Great Northern Diver offshore)

Norfolk Arctic Tern Cley flew east along shore +6.Snow Buntings

Norfolk Great White Egret Titchwell RSPB still

Norfolk Long-tailed Duck Titchwell RSPB still

Norfolk Great White Egret Wells in cattle field by Coast Road at 11.47am

Norfolk large pipit sp Thornham on saltmarsh c400yds NE of harbour at 11.49am with Meadow Pipits

Norfolk 5.Tundra Bean Geese Holme NOA still on grazing marsh tho mobile

Norfolk 13+Cattle Egrets Holkham Freshmarsh still

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck drk still 11.34am Holkham Park Lake flew to north end of lake with Tufted Ducks

Norfolk 4.Hawfinches Holkham Park in yew in garden right of entrance at 10.50am

Norfolk Rough-legged Buzzard Burnham Overy Staithe again over saltmarsh at 11.05am

Norfolk 12+Cattle Egrets Holkham Freshmarsh still 10.32am

Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne still 10.12am in willow clump just south of beach car park TG.109.435

Norfolk RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL fem/1w.male Holme still in bushes south of golf course at 9.50am

Norfolk Little Bunting Holme NWT flew west over golf course at 8th tee at 9.18am

Norfolk Hawfinch Great Yarmouth still at Tar Works Road in allotments NE of Lobec Fabrications

Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne still in willow clump before beach car park at 8.32am TG.109.435

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck drk still Holkham Park Lake at 8.25am

Norfolk Great White Egret y'day Hingham at Seamere Fen at 3pm. View from Deopham Water Mill