Early Morning at Sandilands Nature Reserve.

Early morning start—in fact, it was still very dark at 5:30 when my body clock woke me. The night before, I’d made my mind up to get up and head to Huttoft Hide at Sandilands Nature Reserve before first light. Out for 5:45 and on my way. Funny how the mind plays tricks on you, asking why you are out so early in the dark.

Definitely no obvious sunrise this morning. The weather was so mild for November, I even took a layer off before heading out. The morning had a misty feel about it. Now on the sea front and in the distant fields, I hear the pheasants calling to each other. The sea is in this morning, and I love the calmness it gives me, it sets me up for the day. First, my walk, then later I will be in the studio working on the latest whittled bird. And if the sun comes out later, I will be tormenting myself thinking I should be out enjoying nature’s pleasures.

At the Hide

Approaching the hide, trying not to make a noise underfoot, I hear a distant call from some birds, like a morning disagreement over who should be flying at the front. I stop and hear them getting closer. Yes, it is the Canada geese flying over my head, taking a sharp turn left and landing in the water in front of the hide, all adjusting themselves into their own pecking order.

The Changing Sandilands Reserve.

What else does Sandilands Nature Reserve have to offer as I continue walking? Unfortunately, not much has changed after the devastation of the months following the interference of the do-gooders with too much money, which had disrupted an established golf course, and then two years ago, it was left to return to its natural habitat.

To the left of me, I see a flash of white—surely not? I look again, and yes, three deer are running along the perimeter fence trying to escape. As I watch, a car approaches on the other side of the fence and sends them my way. Unfortunately for them, it is impossible to jump the fence because of the steep bank and the new fencing that was added, and barbed wire on the top. WHY? I ask that question daily. And if you are asking the same, go ask the National Trust, it’s part of their £7.3 million improvement upgrade.

I have lost sight of them again, and expect they are still running against the fence. I hope they find a safe passage through a gap and over the road to the vast land where they can roam freely. I hope when I meet my friend who walks and bike rides on the Roman Bank Road, he does not tell me another deer has been killed or caught in the barbed wire.

Sandilands Wildlife Sightings

I continue along the path. Yesterday I saw the curlew flying overhead, and today another two. Just spotted near the wooden posts, two pied wagtails, and feeding near them, and a meadow pipit.

On my way back towards the former golf course car park at Sandilands, I am always on the lookout for the Stonechats—no show this morning. But then, just as I was thinking about heading home to the studio, I noticed a small bird flash in front of me greenish bird with a yellow stripe on the head. Surely not? I located it again in the bushes—a very small bird, and still not sure, but I feel it was a goldcrest. I will be on the lookout for it tomorrow to confirm I was right.

So there you go—it just proves getting up early on a dark morning, you never know what is out there waiting to be seen, and how it sets you up for the day. Back home now, time for breakfast, then into the bird whittling studio to work on the blue tit. Later, I will be preparing my whittled birds for the bird whittling demonstration on Sunday, 9 November, at the Seaview Colonnade craft fair in Sutton on Sea. Hope to see you all there.

Note:
All thoughts and reflections shared here are just my own personal observations and experiences. I’m not claiming to be right or wrong, just sharing what I see, feel, and enjoy along the way.