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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 Kuğu, Yeşilbaş, Boz ördek and Bahri. The reedbed holds Kamış Bülbülü and Bataklık kirazkuşu, while Taşkuşu may be adorning the tops of bushes in the marshland area. The river offers chances to see Yalıçapkını on any visit to the site. At dawn and dusk, Peçeli Baykuş may be sighted hunting around the reserve.
In winter, the lake (broad) make hold Tepeli patka, Altıngöz, Çamurcun, Kaşıkgaga and Küçük batağan. In periods of colder weather, Büyük tarakdiş, Sütlabi and Karaboyunlu batağan Karaboyunlu bataðan may put in appearances for lucky spotters, as well as Balaban . The marshland will hold good numbers of Su çulluğu and even a few Küçük su çulluğu, although these will be difficult to find. A few Çayır incirkuşu 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 Karabağ martı and Küçük gümüþ martý for colour-ringed birds from eastern europe. Wildfowl including Nil kazi will also be seen here.
In spring, there is always a chance of finding a rarer visitor on the broad including Kara ördek, Kutup sumrusu, Küçük martı and Kara sumru, while Sumru are expected to be seen from April onwards. Large number of feeding hirundines congregate over the broad, including Kum kırlangıcı, Kır kırlangıcı and Ev kırlangıcı, usally joined by Ebabil in May.
The marshland fills with the sound of singing warblers in April and May, including Karabağlı ötleğen, Çıvgın, Kındıra kamışçını, Saz Kamışçını, Akgerdanlı ötleğen and smaller numbers of Söğütbülbülü, Küçük Ak Gerdanlı Ötleğen and even Çekirge Kamışçınıcan be heard! Both Çalı kamışçını and Bataklık Kamışçını have been recorded at the site, but are very rare.
In the summer and autumn, Delice doğan may be seen feeding over the reserve, and expect large numbers of Boz kaz in the area. Waders may be found at the broad, including Poyrazkuşu and Dere düdükçünü if the water levels are low. You may encounter the local Yeşil papağan 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.