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 11th November 2020

A Spoonbill feeding in the harbour channel at Thornham this morning was a surprise find and at least one Bearded Tit was present calling in the reeds alongside Thornham Bank. A young Peregrine spent most of the day upsetting the wildfowl on the grazing marsh and was seen to snatch and fly of with a Starling at one point. 

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 Pom Skua Cley flew west past beach car park (fem.Scaup flew east. Jack Snipe east of North Scrape)
Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Cley at Church Lane at White Cottage at 2.30pm
Norfolk Serin Upton in field opposite 32.Marsh Road at 2.40pm then flew
Norfolk Caspian Gull 1w Cromer still on beach by Rocket House at 1.58pm
Norfolk Little Stint ad Snettisham RSPB still on The Wash at 2.26pm
Norfolk 9.Twite Thornham Harbour by coal barn at 2.14pm
Norfolk 6.Cattle Egrets Welney WWT still at Lady Fen +Great White Egret still
Norfolk 3.Cattle Egrets Burnham Overy in cattle field SE of A149 300yds SSW of mill at 1.15pm
Norfolk Lapland Bunting Weybourne flew east over Muckleburgh Hill this a'noon
Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne still 1.12pm at Weybourne Camp on south edge in bracken hedge near runway +showing well
Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne at Muckleburgh Hill still in bracken hedge this a'noon tho elusive
Norfolk DUSKY WARBLER Weybourne at Weybourne Camp on south edge in bracken hedge near runway this a'noon tho elusive
Norfolk 4.Russian White-fronted Geese Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Norfolk no sign of Dusky Warbler 1.5mls SW of Bintree at Bintree Woods on west side 1/3ml north of Green Lane TF.998.221
Norfolk Spoonbill 1w Breydon Water still from South Wall
Norfolk Short-eared Owl between Acle +Billockby from metal barn at 11.35am
Norfolk no sign of any Glossy Ibises Acle Straight in flooded field from Tunstall Dyke footpath TG.425.093
Norfolk 11.Cattle Egrets Burnham Overy Marshes in field west of Marsh House Farm at 10.45am tho mobile +Great White Egret. 5.Ravens Burnham Overy Dunes
Norfolk Pallas's Warbler Holkham NNR still at Meals House at 11.25am
Norfolk Water Pipit y'day Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Norfolk Spoonbill Thornham Harbour in channel