Conservation conversations: June 2025 on the Holkham National Nature Reserve

May 29, 2025 | Nature news | 4 minute read

As we head into summer, the flora on the NNR is a sight to behold. Tread carefully as you explore the sand dunes and you can be rewarded by seeing both Bee Orchids and Pyramidal Orchids, with Dark Green Fritillary butterflies scooting past. Venture into the pine woods from Wells a little later this month to enjoy the astounding display of foxgloves, resplendent against the dark green backdrop of the woods.

Pyramidal Orchid, Bee Orchid and Dark Green Fritillery Butterfly. Copyright Andrew Bloomfield

The breeding season for ground nesting birds is well underway and hopefully Little Terns will reach their peak numbers on the beach. Due to their fragility please ensure you stay away from cordons and keep dogs on leads where asked. A visit to the Jordan Hide is your best bet to see the Spoonbills as their young continue to fledge this month.

Little Tern on Holkham Beach. Copyright Andrew Bloomfield

May highlights and sightings

The nesting season has been challenging due to both the dry conditions and issues with predators. There is much good news, however, as we’ve seen over 100 pairs of Lapwings breeding and their first broods appearing. We were especially heartened to see a full brood of Lapwing chicks successfully reared and ready to fledge.

Lapwing Family on Holkham National Nature Reserve. Copyright Andrew Bloomfield

Elsewhere, there are seven territories of breeding Stone Curlews on the estate’s farmland and it is wonderful to see the Swifts back – a true sign of summer. The young Ravens in Holkham Park have now fledged and Spoonbills on the reserve have started fledging with 20 on the wing by the end of May. The first Avocet and Redshank chicks have been seen and we can confirm seven pairs of Great White Egrets are breeding.

Spoonbills on Holkham National Nature Resserve. Copyright Andrew Bloomfield

Migrant numbers been poor with the exception of Greenshank, a wading bird that nests in the north of Britain and Scandinavia and can sometimes be seen from Jordan Hide. The beginning of the month saw the return of Turtle Doves and their iconic purring call. A notable visitor has been a Woodchat Strike, a vagrant species to the UK which is quite common around the Mediterranean.

Woodchat Strike at Holkham National Nature Reserve. Copyright Andrew BloomfieldIn the pools on the NNR, Natterjack Toad breeding season has been in full swing. Hopes are high as the warm calm nights we’ve been having are perfect conditions.

The Hawthorn hedges – also known as May Blossom – have enjoyed the Spring conditions and are looking particularly impressive (and smelling amazing) across the estate this year. Out on the farm things are starting to colour up with the clover lays coming into bloom, providing multiple benefits for food and for nature.

Clover Lays on Holkham Estate. Copyright Holkham Conservation

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