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A small reserve on the edge of Norwich which holds a lake, a marshland and a small reedbed, giving excellent opportunites for some urban birding.
Surprisingly, given its proximity to Norwich city centre, Thorpe St. Andrew's Broad (locally referred to as Thorpe Marshes) is an excellent place to see a variety of bird species, some of which you might not expect in such an urban setting. The reserve consists of a short circular walk, including a viewpoint over the lake, and bridge crossing a railway to access the reserve.
Throughout the year, Thorpe Marshes is home to a variety of common wetland birds including (Βουβός) Κύκνος, Πρασινοκέφαλη Πάπια, Καπακλής and Σκουφοβουτηχτάρι. The reedbed holds (Ευρωπαϊκό) Ψευταηδόνι and (Μεγάλο) Καλαμοτσίχλονο, while Μαυρολαίμης may be adorning the tops of bushes in the marshland area. The river offers chances to see (Ευρωπαϊκή) Αλκυόνη on any visit to the site. At dawn and dusk, Ανθρωποπούλλι may be sighted hunting around the reserve.
In winter, the lake (broad) make hold Μαυροκέφαλη Πάπια, (Ευρωπαϊκή) Βουκεφάλα, (Ευρωπαϊκό) Κιρκίρι, (Ευρασιατική) Χουλιαρόπαπια and (Κοκκινόλαιμο) Νανοβουτηχτάρι. In periods of colder weather, Χηνοπρίστης, Νανοπρίστης and Μαυροβουτηχτάρι may put in appearances for lucky spotters, as well as (Ευρασιατικός) Ήταυρος . The marshland will hold good numbers of (Κοινό) Μπεκατσίνι and even a few Κουφομπεκάτσινο, although these will be difficult to find. A few Λιβαδοκελάδα will also be found here.
It is sometimes worth wandering up the river to Thorpe Green, where familes feed the ducks and gulls. Have a look through groups of Καστανοκέφαλος Γλάρος and Θυελλόγλαρος for colour-ringed birds from eastern europe. Wildfowl including Φοινικόσιηνα will also be seen here.
In spring, there is always a chance of finding a rarer visitor on the broad including (Ευρωπαϊκή) Μαυρόπαπια, Χιονογλάρονο, Νανόγλαρος and Μαυρογλάρονο, while Ποταμογλάρονο are expected to be seen from April onwards. Large number of feeding hirundines congregate over the broad, including Οχθοχελίδονο, σταβλοχελίδονο and Λευκοχελίδονο, usally joined by (Κοινή) Σταχτάρα in May.
The marshland fills with the sound of singing warblers in April and May, including Μαυροσκούφης, Δεντροφυλλοσκόπος, Σχοινοποταμίδα, Καλαμοποταμίδα, Θαμνοτσιροβάκος and smaller numbers of Θαμνοφυλλοσκόπος, Lesser Whitethroat and even Θαμνοτριλιστήςcan be heard! Both Βαλτοποταμίδα and Καλαμοτριλιστής have been recorded at the site, but are very rare.
In the summer and autumn, Δεντρογέρακο may be seen feeding over the reserve, and expect large numbers of Σταχτόχηνα in the area. Waders may be found at the broad, including (Ευρωπαϊκός) Στρειδοφάγος and Ακτίτης if the water levels are low. You may encounter the local Πράσινος Παπαγάλος population at Thorpe Green, which are slowly increasing in the area.
To access the reserve, walk along Whitlingham Lane, located at the traffic light junction with Yarmouth Road. At the end of this short road there is a footbridge over the railway line which gives access to the reserve. Please note there is no parking on Whitlingham Lane. The site is easily reached via bus from Norwich city centre. The paths can often be muddy and flooded so wellingtons are recommended in the winter months.
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