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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 Лебідь-шипун, Крижень, Нерозень and Пірникоза велика. The reedbed holds Очеретянка середземноморська and Вівсянка очеретяна, while Трав'янка чорноголова may be adorning the tops of bushes in the marshland area. The river offers chances to see Рибалочка блакитний on any visit to the site. At dawn and dusk, Сипуха may be sighted hunting around the reserve.
In winter, the lake (broad) make hold Чернь чубата, Гоголь зеленоголовий, Чирянка мала, Широконіска північна and Пірникоза мала. In periods of colder weather, Крех великий, Крех малий and Пірникоза чорношия may put in appearances for lucky spotters, as well as Бугай водяний . The marshland will hold good numbers of Баранець звичайний and even a few Баранець малий, although these will be difficult to find. A few Щеврик лучний 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 Мартин звичайний and Мартин сивий for colour-ringed birds from eastern europe. Wildfowl including Каргарка нільська will also be seen here.
In spring, there is always a chance of finding a rarer visitor on the broad including Синьга, Крячок полярний, Мартин малий and Крячок чорний, while Крячок річковий are expected to be seen from April onwards. Large number of feeding hirundines congregate over the broad, including Ластівка берегова, Ластівка сільська and Ластівка міська, usally joined by Серпокрилець чорний in May.
The marshland fills with the sound of singing warblers in April and May, including Кропив’янка чорноголова, Вівчарик-ковалик, Очеретянка лучна, Очеретянка ставкова, Кропив’янка сіра and smaller numbers of Вівчарик весняний, Кропив’янка прудка and even Кобилочка-цвіркунcan be heard! Both Очеретянка чагарникова and Кобилочка солов’їна have been recorded at the site, but are very rare.
In the summer and autumn, Підсоколик великий may be seen feeding over the reserve, and expect large numbers of Гуска сіра in the area. Waders may be found at the broad, including Кулик-сорока and Набережник палеарктичний if the water levels are low. You may encounter the local Папуга Крамера 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.