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Description
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 Bütykös hattyú, Tőkés réce, Kendermagos réce and Búbos vöcsök. The reedbed holds Berki poszáta and Nádi sármány, while cigánycsuk may be adorning the tops of bushes in the marshland area. The river offers chances to see Jégmadár on any visit to the site. At dawn and dusk, Gyöngybagoly may be sighted hunting around the reserve.
In winter, the lake (broad) make hold Kontyos réce, Kerceréce, Csörgo réce, Kanalas réce and Kis vöcsök. In periods of colder weather, Nagy bukó, Kis bukó and Feketenyakú vöcsök may put in appearances for lucky spotters, as well as Bölömbika . The marshland will hold good numbers of Sárszalonka and even a few Kis sárszalonka, although these will be difficult to find. A few Réti pityer 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 Dankasirály and Viharsirály for colour-ringed birds from eastern europe. Wildfowl including Nílusi lúd will also be seen here.
In spring, there is always a chance of finding a rarer visitor on the broad including Fekete réce, Sarki csér, Kis sirály and kormos szerkő, while Küszvágó csér are expected to be seen from April onwards. Large number of feeding hirundines congregate over the broad, including partifecske, Füsti fecske and Molnárfecske, usally joined by Sarlósfecske in May.
The marshland fills with the sound of singing warblers in April and May, including Barátposzáta, Csilpcsalpfüzike, Foltos nádiposzáta, cserregő nádiposzáta, Mezei poszáta and smaller numbers of fitiszfüzike, kis poszáta and even Réti tücsökmadárcan be heard! Both Énekes nádiposzáta and Nádi tücsökmadár have been recorded at the site, but are very rare.
In the summer and autumn, Kabasólyom may be seen feeding over the reserve, and expect large numbers of Nyári lúd in the area. Waders may be found at the broad, including Csigaforgató and billegetőcankó if the water levels are low. You may encounter the local örvös papagáj population at Thorpe Green, which are slowly increasing in the area.
Details
Access
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.