Description
Stubb Mill is part of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's spectacular Hickling Broad reserve. The Stubb Mill trail offers a viewpoint to watch (sometimes over 60!) (Ευρωπαϊκός) Γερανός coming into roost, as well as large numbers of Καλαμόκιρκος! The viewpoint is best visited in the winter months (Oct - Mar), when counts of both species using the site will be at their highest.
On a winter's evening, the harrier roost may also be used by small numbers of Χειμωνόκιρκος, so worth scanning through the harriers carefully. Occasionally Νανογέρακο and Βαλτόμπουφος may be seen, while Ανθρωποπούλλι and Αργυροτσικνιάς are regulars. On some nights, skenes of Pink-footed Goose may come over the viewpoint on their way into roost on Hickling Broad, joined by Ασπρομέτωπη Χήνα and potentially Νανόκυκνος and Αγριόκυκνος when species are over-wintering in the area.
The woodland and scrub areas support roosting finches including Χειμωνόσπινος and Χρυσοτσίχλονο. In late evenings, (Ευρασιατική) Μπεκάτσα may be seen leaving roost over the viewpoint too. The Stubb Mill trail takes visitors past the new Brendan's Marsh scrape, which will have (Ευρωπαϊκό) Κιρκίρι, (Ευρωπαϊκό) Σφυριχτάρι, (Ευρασιατική) Χουλιαρόπαπια and other wildfowl on it during the winter. It is not unsual to find (Ευρωπαϊκή) Νεροκελάδα here too as well as a few waders including (Κοινό) Μπεκατσίνι, Μαχητής and (Ευρωπαϊκή) Καλημάνα. There is a viewing tower enabling visitors to scan the marsh for other species of interest.
In both the summer months the viewpoint is much quiter, however, Brendan's Marsh is a hotspot for waders and Δασότρυγγας, Πρασινοσκέλης and other migratory species may be found. Rarities such as Καλαμοκανάς, Σταχτιά Νανοσκαλίδρα and Θωρακωτή Σκαλίδρα are a genuine possibility if you're very lucky here! You may also encounter hawking Δεντρογέρακο.
Details
Access
Park at the NWT Hickling Broad car park. Don't forget to sign in at the Visitor Centre if it is open! Follow the trail past Brendan's Marsh to the raptor viewpoint. It is well signposted from the car park. If it is dark by the time you leave the viewpoint, you can walk back to the car park along the road if the footpath is slippery. There is a disabled car park by the viewpoint, but it must only be used by 'blue badge' holders.
