Stubb Mill Raptor Watchpoint

Early morning mist still clings to the reed beds when the marsh harriers start their hunting patrol. Stubb Mill Raptor Watchpoint sits on the eastern edge of the Norfolk Broads, a proper birder's paradise that delivers spectacular aerial displays from spring through autumn.

The viewpoint overlooks vast expanses of grazing marsh and drainage dykes east of Norwich, prime hunting ground for birds of prey. Marsh harriers are the star attraction here - these magnificent raptors glide low over the reeds with their distinctive tilting flight pattern. Buzzards circle higher up on thermals, while kestrels hover with mechanical precision above the grassland.

Serious birders will want to bring binoculars and allow at least two hours, though you could easily spend a morning here during peak migration periods. The best action happens early morning or late afternoon when the light is soft and the birds most active.

Families might find it a bit specialist unless the kids are already keen on wildlife - this isn't a playground but a working landscape where patience pays off. The setting is lovely though, with windmills dotting the horizon and that proper Norfolk sense of endless sky.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Waxham Sands or Hickling Campsite puts you right in the heart of this remarkable wetland landscape, making dawn visits perfectly feasible.