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!) Grátrana coming into roost, as well as large numbers of Brúnheiðir! 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 Bláheiðir, so worth scanning through the harriers carefully. Occasionally Smyrill and Brandugla may be seen, while Turnugla and Mjallhegri are regulars. On some nights, skenes of Heiðagæs may come over the viewpoint on their way into roost on Hickling Broad, joined by Blesgæs and potentially Dvergsvanur and Álft when species are over-wintering in the area.
The woodland and scrub areas support roosting finches including Fjallafinka and Gultittlingur. In late evenings, Skógarsnípa 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 Urtönd, Rauðhöfðaönd, Skeiðönd and other wildfowl on it during the winter. It is not unsual to find Fjalltittlingur here too as well as a few waders including Hrossagaukur, Rúkragi and Vepja. 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 Trjástelkur, Lyngstelkur and other migratory species may be found. Rarities such as Háleggur, Bakkatíta and Rákatíta are a genuine possibility if you're very lucky here! You may also encounter hawking Gunnfálki.
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.
