Wild in Anglia: In the latest in his nature series, Nigel Pickover visits Stubb Mill, near NWT Hickling Broad.
Such was her boldness as she charged forwards I sensed she was mistress of the green lane running through this magical landscape.
With a brimming dyke to one side, and a fence entwined with grass and thistle to the other, the plump hare had either to retrace her run, or face down the human walking towards her.
After a moment's hesitation she came on strong - and bounced by within a couple of feet. So close I could see the bright yellow of her eyes.
An encounter with a hare was a delightful surprise on my latest Wild in Anglia trip - as was a meeting with the herd of tough Polish ponies just around the corner.
The Koniks, doughty warriors of this Upper Thurne 'living landscape,' came charging to a gate to say hello, enjoying some human company in the still-warm winter sunshine.
Unexpected events like these are bonuses on any wildlife adventure - and all this before the main event.
The aim of this visit was to see Norfolk Wildlife Trust's 'raptor roost' at sunset and it all began at the organisation's visitor centre at Hickling.
Many will know this spot from trips to nearby Hickling Broad, a jewel in Norfolk's wildlife treasure house.
My destination was under a mile away at Stubb Mill, one of the chain of ancient wind-powered drainage pumps scattered across these parts.
The hare's green lane, which leads to the mill, is within 50 yards of the visitor centre car park - it's just on the right of the road which takes you back to Hickling.
Timing for your amble to the mill, built with others between 1795 and 1825 under the direction of Sir George Berney Brograve, is important.
To watch the raptors and other feathered ones gather, you need to set off at least an hour before sunset. But I'd allow two.
NWT has built a superb vantage point over the marshland, where ruined Brograve Mill is in the background.
The viewing area has the size and feel of a country railway station platform.
On my visit I saw half a dozen marsh harriers and two of the common cranes Norfolk is famous for.
The harriers resembled distant moths, flitting this way and that and the cranes bobbing up and down in the reeds like animated scarecrows. You'll need binoculars for close-ups.
No hen harriers or barn owls this time and yet it was truly wonderful, as much for the landscape as well as the wildlife.
As the sun tipped its hat and bade good evening I imagined myself on another adventure.
How wonderful it would be to return one warm summer's night to watch darkness turn to dawn and to see these incredible birds fluffing up their feathers for the day ahead.
Visitor details: Norfolk Wildlife Trust visitor centre is off the A149 between Great Yarmouth and North Walsham. It is signposted from the village. The narrow lanes can be flooded in bad weather but are passable with care. Take wellingtons or walking boots for the whole Hickling Broad area. The visitor centre has toilets.
Visits to Stubb Mill take place in the second Sunday of each month from April to September. Hickling Broad, a Site of Scientific Special Interest (SSSI) has more than 1,400 acres of reedbed, fen, grazing marsh, open water and woodland. Its wetland habitats offer a year-round haven for threatened wildlife such as swallowtail butterflies, marsh harriers, Norfolk hawker dragonflies, the common crane and the bittern.
Further Hickling details: info@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
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