Description
The University of East Anglia (UEA) has some fantastic grounds for birding, and whatever the time of year, there is always something to see. With a wide selection of trails to choose from, it is always worth exploring if you are in the area or indeed visiting the univeristy for any reason. The standout feature of the campus is UEA Broad (the universities lake). This will hold Σκουφοβουτηχτάρι throughout the year, and you may also catch a glipse of a passing (Ευρωπαϊκή) Αλκυόνη or hear the erruptive calls of (Ευρωπαϊκό) Ψευταηδόνι. The lawns around campus may have Πράσινος Δρυοκολάπτης feeding on them. You can see Σταχτοσουσουράδα and (Κοινός) Λευκοτσικνιάς along the river.
In the winter, look out for Χηνοπρίστης as this is one of the more reliable locations to find them in the county. There may also be plenty of gulls including Θυελλόγλαρος and Ασημόγλαρος του Βορά using the lawn around the edge of the lake. At dusk, (Ευρασιατική) Μπεκάτσα and (Κοινό) Μπεκατσίνι can be found in any of the wetland areas around campus. In spring, a dawn walk around UEA Broad may reveal Ακτίτης along the waters edge. Worth getting there early, as the site does become busy with dog walkers and visitors during the day. The campus is alive with the sound of warblers including Μαυροσκούφης, Κηποτσιροβάκος, Θαμνοτσιροβάκος, Δεντροφυλλοσκόπος, Θαμνοφυλλοσκόπος, Καλαμοποταμίδα, Σχοινοποταμίδα and even a few Θαμνοτριλιστής! There may be (Ευρωπαϊκός) Κούκος joining the dawn chorus. During a spring fall, local scarcities such as Χιονοκότσυφας and (Κοινός) Φοινίκουρος have been found here.
Summer is quiter, but a wide selection of garden birds may still be seen in the area including (Κοινός) Πύρρουλας and Βουνοδεντροβάτης. On a dusk trip to the playingfields, you may hear (Ευρωπαϊκή) Κουκουβάγια calling in the large oak trees. Raptors including Καλαμόκιρκος may be seen, as they range more widely away from the Norfolk Broads at this time of year. UEA Broad may be host to a couple of pairs of Ποταμογλάρονο. Autumn is a good time to keep eyes on the skies for flocks of Pink-footed Goose, while the winter thrushes including Κοκκινότσιχλα and Κεδρότσιχλα will be returing. It is always worth locating flocks of Αιγίθαλος as there is a possiblity of something rarer being in them, such as a Κιτρινόφρυδος Φυλλοσκόπος (especially after periods of easterly winds). The greenhouse feeders may host (Κοινό) Λούγαρο, Lesser Redpoll and Χειμωνόσπινος.
Given the number of birders working or studying at UEA, there is always a chance of a top quality rarity being found. Previous records have included Iberian Chiffchaff, Καρατζάς, Ring-billed Gull and Διπλοκεφαλάς!
Details
Access
You can use the pay and display car park on campus, or, access the site via Earlham park. Click on a P in the map to get directions to that point.


