Martham Broad

For this  Norfolk broad you park just north of West Somerton Village where the staithe hits the road running north to Horsey. Walk back down the road and turn into staithe road, take the left hand fork then look for a kissing gate on your right. Head through here and up to the staithe where a path takes you round the southern side of the broad.

Check the reed beds on your right for Cetti's Warbler & Bearded Tit. A friend once saw a Bittern swimming in a channel here, so keep an eye out. You enter a small woodland and then come out on to the banks of the broad.

In winter there is a good selection of wildfowl including Pochard & Tufted ducks in good numbers, Grebes and Goldeneye. Occasionally Smew and something rarer like Green-winged Teal. If you spend some time here you should see Marsh Harriers over the reed beds, with any luck Bittern and possibly Cranes flying over.

Nature trail. Reserve leaflet. Access by canoe: no access to North or South Broad, but access through the main channel (River Thurne) to West Somerton boat dyke, provides close proximity to reed and sedge beds. There is no access upstream to West Somerton Staithe.

What to look for

Spring/summer

swallowtail butterfly.

Autumn/winter

shoveler, goldeneye, whooper swan, pink footed goose.

For more information please call 01603 625540