Conservation conversations: August 2025 on the Holkham National Nature Reserve

July 31, 2025 | Nature news | 4 minute read

Bird news

A heartwarming success this summer has been the results of the beach nesting bird season. A collaborative effort from Natural England’s wardens, Holkham’s Beach Wardens and gamekeepers has seen an increase in visitor awareness, a larger area cordoned off and the implementation of our ‘dogs on leads’ policy. Kind weather and tides added to the success, and we are delighted to report that we managed to fledge up to 100 Little Terns, the most from this colony on Holkham Beach since they first nested here in 2010.

little tern juvenile on the Holkham National Nature Reserve c. Andrew Bloomfield

Ringed Plovers have also had a good season, with more nesting than in previous years, and reasonable success with fledging. Oystercatchers are struggling the most – pressure from all angles means that getting their young to the fledgling stage is very difficult. We did manage to get a small number to the flying stage (last year there were none) so a positive result on a beach that is shared with thousands of visitors.

Insect updates

The effects of climate change are seeing a change in species to be found here. Southern Migrant Hawker dragonflies have only been present on the north Norfolk cost for the last five years, and a good showing across the grazing marsh ditches this year means that they are well and truly established.

Southern Migrant Hawker dragonfly on the Holkham National Nature Reserve c. Andrew Bloomfield

Various areas of the estate are managed for wild flora, bringing great benefits for biodiversity. A resounding success story is the phenomenal numbers of Chalk Hill Blue butterflies on a chalk land meadow. Just a few years ago we counted just three, whereas this year they were in their thousands. It’s a true delight to see these scarce butterflies thriving here, their only colony in the county.

chalk hill blue butterfly at Holkham c. Andrew Bloomfield

As spring finished, migrant waders from the north – Green and Wood Sandpipers – started to return in early June, probably suggesting that nesting attempts in the artic forests ended in early failures.

Flora findings

The dry spring has seen many orchid varieties suffering, but Creeping Ladies Tresses have bucked the trend and had a good year.

Creeping Ladies Tresses c. Andrew Bloomfield

Toad tidings

Despite being in poor numbers this year due to dried out pools on the nature reserve, some success was eventually attained by our Natterjack Toads, as 25 toadlets emerged from the one pond that managed to hold onto water.

Natterjack toadlet on the Holkham National Nature Reserve c. Andrew Bloomfield

Things to look out for in July

August can see the start of the autumn migration. If the weather produces easterly winds we can expect to see migrant songbirds heading south from Scandinavia, passing through on their way to their wintering grounds in Africa. Look out for Wheatears, Whinchats, Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts, with hopefully the odd rarity thrown into the mix.

Wheatear Juvenile on the Holkham National Nature Reserve c. Andrew Bloomfield

For daily updates, follow us on Instagram @holkhamconservation