Overview
Work began at Broom in the mid 1990s, with a 20-year plan to extract gravel. The expanding pits have been watched regularly since 1999. Broom GP consists of a number of lakes (not including Broom East, which is listed separately) and has areas of woodland and open land with hedgerows. Not all the pits have public access, but several paths on the west side of Gypsy Lane, and to the north of Broom village, lead into the site.
Taking the path from Kings Road in Broom village you will come to a small tree-lined pit known as The Village Pit. You are likely to find just Little Grebes and Tufted Ducks here. Crossing a wooden bridge and following the hedge, you come to Peacock’s Lake. The lake is fenced and used by anglers. Unfortunately, the island no longer holds a breeding colony of terns and gulls. Following several unsuccessful years, due to predation, the island was abandoned.
The fields to the south west of Peacocks Lake often have large flocks of geese during the winter. Greylag Geese, Pink-footed, White-fronted and Barnacle Geese have all been found. Hobbies hunt overhead during the summer and one year one was joined briefly by a Red-footed Falcon.
A path east alongside the fence leads to a small wood called Ash Covert, where Lesser Redpolls and Siskins can often be found in the alders. Chiffchaffs have been known to over-winter here, along with the occasional Brambling. In the corner of the field ignore the path on the right, which leads back towards Peacocks Lake, and head straight on. Here you arrive at the pit known as Gypsy Lane West. Birds seen here in recent years include Ruddy Duck, Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Goosander and Smew. With regular watching, the site has a list of over 200 species with around 140 recorded annually.
Access
Main access is from Gypsy Lane, which is reached from the B658 between Biggleswade and Upper Caldecote. There’s no public access to certain pits.
Parking
Parking is possible in one of several ‘pull-ins’ on Gypsy Lane. Parking is also available off the B658 about 500M South of the the Hill Lane/B658 roundabout(G&M). Please note that the verge parking is unofficial, so please park carefully and considerately.
Birds
Rarities: White-winged Black Tern, Green-winged Teal, Spoonbill, Red-necked Phalarope, Temminck’s Stint, Avocet, Glossy Ibis, godwit sp, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Great White Egret, Cetti’s Warbler, Bearded Tit, Water Rail, Marsh Harrier, Green Sandpiper, Whinchat.
