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Description
Barton Broad is the second largest inland waterbody in Norfolk, and has been owned by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust since 1945. The lake / broad was created by peat extraction in the middle ages. In the early 20th century the broad was heavily polluted, but since then, the river and broad have been cleaned up and wildlife is steadily returning to the area.
In winter, expect large number of Гоголь зеленоголовий to be found on the broad, alongside smaller numbers of Чернь чубата. Being such a large body of water, Barton Broad is less susceptible to freezing over in cold weather, and therefore in the harshest winter periods, local rarities including Крех малий, Чернь морська, Морянка, Пірникоза чорношия and Гагара полярна may be found by lucky visitors. The wet woodland will hold Пастушок and Слуква лісова. Swans and Гуменник короткодзьобий may be seen flying over the reserve in noisy groups.
In spring, it is worth exploring the surrounding farmland between the car park and the boardwalk trail. You will likely encounter Вівсянка звичайна and Вівсянка очеретяна in the hedgerows, while Снігур звичайний and Зеленяк звичайний may also be seen near the car park. In the wet woodland, Гаїчка болотяна, Підкоришник звичайний and a variety of other common garden birds may be seen. The Пірникоза велика will be dancing on the broad, and Лунь очеретяний may be seen dispalying overhead. You will probably find a few Крячок річковий feeding over the Broad, but after periods of stormy weather, there is a reasonable chance of finding Крячок полярний, Крячок чорний and Мартин малий with them in April and May.
Summer is a quieter period for birding at Barton Broad, however, it is a good time to see Підсоколик великий hawking over the broad. Keeping eyes to the sky, Канюк звичайний and Яструб малий may also be seen circling over the broad. Hirundines including Ластівка сільська and Ластівка берегова may be seen catching flying insects over the water.
Autumn visitors may have a chance of spotting Скопа stopping over in the Norfolk Broads before its long migration back to West Africa. It is also a great time to spot Рибалочка блакитний zooming up and down the Broad. This reserve is easily accessible, and suitable for birders of all abilities. A scope can be useful, as wildfowl on the broad are sometimes distant. There is a sightings book at the viewpoint, so you can see what others have seen in recent days.
Details
Access
There is a signed car park between the villages of Neatishead and Irstead, next to the Old Rectory. From here it is an easy 1km (0.6- mile) stroll to the start of the wooden boardwalk trail (which is suitable for wheelchairs). There is also a disabled car park with 3 - 4 spaces available at the start of the boardwalk. From the car park, the reserve is accessible via boardwalk, through wet alder woodland to a viewing platform with spectacular views overlooking Barton Broad.
During severe storms, the boardwalk may be closed due to risk of falling tree branches. Parts of the boardwalk may also be flooded after wet weather.