Description
The site of Ormesby Broad and Rollesby Broad is very easily accessible and involves little walking, although a scope is highly recommended as birds can be distant. There is always a chance of finding something scarce here, however, there is usually a suite of typcial wildfowl here to keep you going in the meantime as well as some of the more iconic species of the Norfolk Broads.
In winter, expect to find high numbers of lyska čierna, chochlačka sivá and chochlačka vrkočatá on both Broads. Checking each broad throughly from each viewpoint is essential, as there may be hlaholka severská and scarcites such as chochlačka morská, potápač malý, potápač veľký mixed in. In particularly cold periods, potápka červenokrká, potápka ušatá, potápka čiernokrká, ľadovka dĺhochvostá, potáplica veľká and other rarities are entirely possible for the lucky observer. The reedbed along the edge of Ormesby Broad may hold bučiak veľký, while skenes of hus krátkozobá may be moving overhead.
In spring, there can often be huge arrivals of mixed hirundine flocks, with clouds of lastovička obyčajná, brehuľa hnedá and belorítka obyčajná expected. There is always an outside chance of a lastovička červenochrbtá being in the mix. Large numbers of rybár riečny are also exepcted, and these are sometimes joined by rybár dlhochvostý, čorík čierny and čajka malá which will all be on their way elsewhere.
The summer can be a fantastic time to spot screaming parties of dážďovník obyčajný over the lakes, while kaňa močiarna can be found hunting the reedbed. The sound of cetia západná may be heard, while rybárik riečny may be spotted over the lakes. Autumn can be quiter at these sites with the Norfolk coast recieving more attention, however, there is always a chance of a passage kršiak rybár to keep you going until the winter birds return.
Details
Access
There is a car park, and the viewpoints are next to the car park. The viewpoint for Ormesby Broad (looking north) is on the edge of a (sometimes busy) road.
Terrain and Habitat
Lake , ReedbedsConditions
FlatCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
YesGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , SpringRoute
Paved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Car , FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
During the middle of the day on both Saturday and Sunday, and sometimes weekdays in summer, expect to see boats using the lakes. These may cause the wildfowl to temporarily move on elsewhere, so be advised that visiting at these times may be less productive for birding.
