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Description
Whitlingham Country Park is owned and managed by the Whitlingham Charitable Trust, and consists of two lakes, Great Broad and Little Broad (both created by former gravel extraction) with the River Yare running parallel alongside. There is also a stand of mixed deciduous woodland and a small area of marshland on the south-east side of the park. The site has a Visitor Centre with a café and toilet facilities available. The paths round the park are well maintained, and suitable for birders of all abilities, although the paths can get muddy in some spots in winter. There are also bikes for hire at the Visitor Centre, which could make your travel around the site more exciting. In all seasons, the site hosts wetland birds including Рибалочка блакитний , Пірникоза велика , Баклан великий, Лебідь-шипун and Каргарка нільська. A search around the woodland may reveal Дятел звичайний, Підкоришник звичайний, Золотомушка жовточуба and a variety of common garden birds. Listen out for Очеретянка середземноморська calling loudly around the lake margins too.
Winter is considered by birders as the best time to visit. Large flocks of diving duck can be seen on Great Broad (the largest lake) including Чернь чубата accompanied by smaller numbers of Попелюх звичайний and Гоголь зеленоголовий. In colder periods, lucky birders may find Крех великий, Крех малий or Чернь морська, all of which are seen at Whitlingham most winters. A secretive Бугай водяний may also be hiding in the reeds on the northern edge of the lake. Dabbling ducks prefer Little Broad, where Нерозень, Широконіска північна and Чирянка мала are usually present. The alder trees lining the lakes are a fantastic place to search for wintering flocks of Чиж лісовий and Чечітка мала.
Spring sees warblers returning to the park, and the woodland fills with the sound of Вівчарик-ковалик, Кропив’янка чорноголова and Кропив’янка садова. The lake margins may be visited by returning waders including Набережник палеарктичний and Кулик-сорока, while Крячок річковий and large numbers of hirundines including Ластівка берегова and Ластівка сільська may be feeding over the water. Following heavy rainfall in April, scarcer species such as Крячок полярний, Мартин малий and Синьга may also be found on the lakes, while Крячок чорний are annual visitors for brief periods in May. Listen out for calls of Зозуля звичайна across the park.
Summer and autumn can be a quieter time for birding at Whitlingham, but expect large numbers of Гуска сіра on Great Broad in July and August, and keep your eyes to the skies for Підсоколик великий and Серпокрилець чорний feeding on the flying insects over the lakes. Occasionally, Лунь очеретяний will drift over the park from other areas of the Yare Valley, and Мандаринка may also be encountered. The reedbeds may be filled with the chatter of Очеретянка ставкова. In September and October, keep an eye out for thrushes including Дрізд білобровий and Чикотень, as well as returning wildfowl.
Details
Access
Whitlingham Country Park is only two miles from Norwich city centre, and can be reached easily by car, bike or on foot from any bus stop near Trowse. There are large pay and display car parks near the visitor centre, as well as racks to lock up your bike safely if cycling to the site. More details can be found on the Whitlingham Country Park website.
Taking the circular walk around Great Broad is recommended at all times of the year (especially winter), while a walk around the woodland may be warrented in spring. A scope is not necerssary, but may help when scanning though flocks of diving ducks or gulls in the winter.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , River , Lake , City/villageConditions
FlatCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Winter , SpringBest time to visit
Winter , SpringRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Whitlingham Country Park is popular with families, dog walkers, fishermen and watersports enthusiasts. Therefore, the park can be very busy, especially during weekends or on warm sunny days. For birders, it is recommended that they visit in the mornings and evenings to avoid the most likely times for disturbance by other activites.