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!) Журавель сірий coming into roost, as well as large numbers of Лунь очеретяний! 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 Лунь польовий, so worth scanning through the harriers carefully. Occasionally Підсоколик малий and Сова болотяна may be seen, while Сипуха and Чепура велика are regulars. On some nights, skenes of Гуменник короткодзьобий may come over the viewpoint on their way into roost on Hickling Broad, joined by Гуска білолоба and potentially Лебідь чорнодзьобий and Лебідь-кликун when species are over-wintering in the area.
The woodland and scrub areas support roosting finches including В’юрок and Вівсянка звичайна. In late evenings, Слуква лісова 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 Чирянка мала, Свищ євразійський, Широконіска північна and other wildfowl on it during the winter. It is not unsual to find Щеврик гірський here too as well as a few waders including Баранець звичайний, Брижач and Чайка чубата. 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 Коловодник лісовий, Коловодник великий and other migratory species may be found. Rarities such as Ходулoчник, Побережник білохвостий and Побережник арктичний are a genuine possibility if you're very lucky here! You may also encounter hawking Підсоколик великий.
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.
