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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 Crvenokljuni Labud, Divlja Patka, Patka Kreketaljka and Ćubasti Gnjurac. The reedbed holds Svilorepa and Močvarna Strnadica, while Crnoglavi Batić may be adorning the tops of bushes in the marshland area. The river offers chances to see Vodomar on any visit to the site. At dawn and dusk, Kukuvija may be sighted hunting around the reserve.
In winter, the lake (broad) make hold Krunata Patka, Patka Batoglavica, Kržulja, Patka Žličarka and Mali Gnjurac. In periods of colder weather, Veliki ronac, Bijeli ronac and Crnogrli Gnjurac may put in appearances for lucky spotters, as well as Bukavac . The marshland will hold good numbers of Šljuka Kokošica and even a few Mala Šljuka, although these will be difficult to find. A few Livadna Trepetljka 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 Riječni Galeb and Burni Galeb for colour-ringed birds from eastern europe. Wildfowl including Egipatska guska will also be seen here.
In spring, there is always a chance of finding a rarer visitor on the broad including Crna patka, Arktička čigra, Mali Galeb and Crna Čigra, while Crvenokljuna Čigra are expected to be seen from April onwards. Large number of feeding hirundines congregate over the broad, including Bregunica, Lastavica and Piljak, usally joined by Čiopa in May.
The marshland fills with the sound of singing warblers in April and May, including Crnokapa Grmuša, Zviždak, Trstenjak Rogožar, Trstenjak cvrkutić, Grmuša Pjenica and smaller numbers of Brezov Zviždak, Grmuša čevrljinka and even Pjegavi Cvrčićcan be heard! Both Trstenjak Mlakar and Veliki Cvrčić have been recorded at the site, but are very rare.
In the summer and autumn, Sokol Lastavičar may be seen feeding over the reserve, and expect large numbers of Siva Guska in the area. Waders may be found at the broad, including Oštrigar and Mala Prutka if the water levels are low. You may encounter the local Rose-ringed Parakeet 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.