Golf Course Reborn as Coastal Bird Haven

A former golf course on the Lincolnshire coast, Sandilands, has undergone a remarkable transformation into a vibrant 2km nature reserve managed by the National Trust. This coastal site, once a golf course established in 1894, has been reborn with the creation of extensive wetlands, wading pools, and diverse vegetation, attracting a rich array of bird species. The new reserve, which opened to the public on Saturday, has already seen nesting little ringed plovers and avocets, with marsh harriers and spotted redshanks also observed.

The project, funded by £2 million from the Mablethorpe Towns Fund and other sources, also involved significant community engagement. Approximately 50 local volunteers have actively participated in the restoration efforts, assisting with tasks such as managing invasive plants like ragwort and planting thousands of native shrubs. This hands-on involvement highlights the strong local support for the reserve, which replaced a private golf club that went into liquidation in 2018, preventing potential development.

Sandilands is strategically located within the East Atlantic flyway, a crucial migration route for thousands of birds annually. The reserve's habitat, including newly dug ponds that have naturally attracted reed and reed-mace, is designed to offer shelter to rare migrants. Future plans include the introduction of Highland ponies for conservation grazing and the potential reintroduction of the natterjack toad, further enhancing the biodiversity of this significant coastal ecosystem.