Sandilands Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire: A November Bird Watching Walk

Sandilands Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire

I had a lovely walk around Sandilands Nature Reserve on the Lincolnshire coast today. I normally set off around 3pm, and although it was dull, it wasn’t cold for a November afternoon. I arranged to meet a couple I’d bumped into a few days earlier who are interested in bird watching in Lincolnshire, and it’s always nice to have an extra pair of eyes.

Sandilands car park to Huttoft Terrace along the seafront

We set off from the Sandilands car park and walked along the seafront towards Huttoft car park. There are a few good vantage points along the top where you can step up and look out over the nature reserve. From one of them we spotted a roe deer, which was a lovely start to the afternoon walk.

Huttoft Coffee Shop and the Rabbit Viewing Point

Back on the seafront, we walked on towards Huttoft Terrace, the car park and the coffee shop. We turned left onto the car park road to enter the reserve. If you go behind the coffee shop and follow the path, you reach a viewing point where you can scan the field for birds.

It’s also worth looking out for the black rabbit running with the brown rabbits. It’s nothing special, I know, but I find it interesting that it has been accepted by the rest of the rabbit community. You can carry on from here towards Marsh Yard, but today we turned back and headed into the reserve.

Wildlife watching tips inside Sandilands Nature Reserve

Just inside the gate, if you stay quiet, look to your left for the rabbit burrows in the dunes. If you don’t want to disturb the wildlife, walk on the grass verge, as the path itself is very noisy and not suitable for wildlife watching.

The bird hide and the wooden bridges

The first bird hide looks out onto a pond where you can see wading birds, and with a bit of luck you may spot some of the species the reserve is known for.

Walking towards the next reed bridge, you can sometimes see reed buntings. As we crossed the wooden bridge, a roe deer ran across the path and disappeared into the undergrowth, which was a real surprise. Further along on the next wooden bridge, you’ll find carvings of a bird of prey and a bittern. Seeing a real bittern on this stretch of water would be a minor miracle!

Two people passed us on the bridge, and when I looked back, they were pointing towards Roman Bank Road. Through the binoculars we could see two more roe deer.

On the way back to the car park, a little egret flew over. Unfortunately there was no owl today, although I’ve been seeing one over the past few evenings.

Want to go birdwatching at Sandilands?

When we said goodbye, they asked if I would be birdwatching again. My answer is always the same: text or email. The Bird Whittler. If I’m walking and watching birds at Sandilands Nature Reserve or the surrounding area, I’ll arrange a time to meet up and walk with you.

Read more walks and wildlife stories on the Bird Whittler Blog, or visit The Bird Whittler to see my hand-whittled birds and learn how to start whittling yourself.