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Description
Whitlingham Country Park is owned and managed by the Whitlingham Charitable Trust, and consists of two lakes, Great Broad and Little Broad (both created by former gravel extraction) with the River Yare running parallel alongside. There is also a stand of mixed deciduous woodland and a small area of marshland on the south-east side of the park. The site has a Visitor Centre with a café and toilet facilities available. The paths round the park are well maintained, and suitable for birders of all abilities, although the paths can get muddy in some spots in winter. There are also bikes for hire at the Visitor Centre, which could make your travel around the site more exciting. In all seasons, the site hosts wetland birds including Jégmadár , Búbos vöcsök , Kárókatona, Bütykös hattyú and Nílusi lúd. A search around the woodland may reveal Nagy fakopáncs, Hegyi fakusz, sárgafejű királyka and a variety of common garden birds. Listen out for Berki poszáta calling loudly around the lake margins too.
Winter is considered by birders as the best time to visit. Large flocks of diving duck can be seen on Great Broad (the largest lake) including Kontyos réce accompanied by smaller numbers of Barátréce and Kerceréce. In colder periods, lucky birders may find Nagy bukó, Kis bukó or Hegyi réce, all of which are seen at Whitlingham most winters. A secretive Bölömbika may also be hiding in the reeds on the northern edge of the lake. Dabbling ducks prefer Little Broad, where Kendermagos réce, Kanalas réce and Csörgo réce are usually present. The alder trees lining the lakes are a fantastic place to search for wintering flocks of Csíz and Barna zsezse.
Spring sees warblers returning to the park, and the woodland fills with the sound of Csilpcsalpfüzike, Barátposzáta and Kerti poszáta. The lake margins may be visited by returning waders including billegetőcankó and Csigaforgató, while Küszvágó csér and large numbers of hirundines including partifecske and Füsti fecske may be feeding over the water. Following heavy rainfall in April, scarcer species such as Sarki csér, Kis sirály and Fekete réce may also be found on the lakes, while kormos szerkő are annual visitors for brief periods in May. Listen out for calls of Kakukk across the park.
Summer and autumn can be a quieter time for birding at Whitlingham, but expect large numbers of Nyári lúd on Great Broad in July and August, and keep your eyes to the skies for Kabasólyom and Sarlósfecske feeding on the flying insects over the lakes. Occasionally, Barna rétihéja will drift over the park from other areas of the Yare Valley, and Mandarinréce may also be encountered. The reedbeds may be filled with the chatter of cserregő nádiposzáta. In September and October, keep an eye out for thrushes including szőlőrigó and fenyőrigó, as well as returning wildfowl.
Details
Access
Whitlingham Country Park is only two miles from Norwich city centre, and can be reached easily by car, bike or on foot from any bus stop near Trowse. There are large pay and display car parks near the visitor centre, as well as racks to lock up your bike safely if cycling to the site. More details can be found on the Whitlingham Country Park website.
Taking the circular walk around Great Broad is recommended at all times of the year (especially winter), while a walk around the woodland may be warrented in spring. A scope is not necerssary, but may help when scanning though flocks of diving ducks or gulls in the winter.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Wetland , River , Lake , City/villageConditions
FlatCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Winter , SpringBest time to visit
Winter , SpringRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , BicycleBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Whitlingham Country Park is popular with families, dog walkers, fishermen and watersports enthusiasts. Therefore, the park can be very busy, especially during weekends or on warm sunny days. For birders, it is recommended that they visit in the mornings and evenings to avoid the most likely times for disturbance by other activites.