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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 Vodomar , Ćubasti Gnjurac , Veliki Vranac, Crvenokljuni Labud and Egipatska guska. A search around the woodland may reveal Veliki Djetlić, Kratkokljuni puzavac, Zlatoglavi Kraljić and a variety of common garden birds. Listen out for Svilorepa 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 Krunata Patka accompanied by smaller numbers of Glavata Patka and Patka Batoglavica. In colder periods, lucky birders may find Veliki ronac, Bijeli ronac or Patka crninka, all of which are seen at Whitlingham most winters. A secretive Bukavac may also be hiding in the reeds on the northern edge of the lake. Dabbling ducks prefer Little Broad, where Patka Kreketaljka, Patka Žličarka and Kržulja are usually present. The alder trees lining the lakes are a fantastic place to search for wintering flocks of Čižak and Lesser Redpoll.
Spring sees warblers returning to the park, and the woodland fills with the sound of Zviždak, Crnokapa Grmuša and Siva Grmuša. The lake margins may be visited by returning waders including Mala Prutka and Oštrigar, while Crvenokljuna Čigra and large numbers of hirundines including Bregunica and Lastavica may be feeding over the water. Following heavy rainfall in April, scarcer species such as Arktička čigra, Mali Galeb and Crna patka may also be found on the lakes, while Crna Čigra are annual visitors for brief periods in May. Listen out for calls of Kukavica across the park.
Summer and autumn can be a quieter time for birding at Whitlingham, but expect large numbers of Siva Guska on Great Broad in July and August, and keep your eyes to the skies for Sokol Lastavičar and Čiopa feeding on the flying insects over the lakes. Occasionally, Eja Močvarica will drift over the park from other areas of the Yare Valley, and Mandarinska patka may also be encountered. The reedbeds may be filled with the chatter of Trstenjak cvrkutić. In September and October, keep an eye out for thrushes including Mali Drozd and Drozd Bravenjak, 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.