Some of our wildlife adventures will take us overseas, seeking out accessible, off-the-beaten-track, kid-friendly encounters. But I’m most interested in the ones closer to home, right on our doorstep.
Have you heard of Elmley Nature Reserve?
Over 3,000 acres of wetlands on the Isle of Sheppey. Once farmland, now one of the UK's most important bird habitats. And, brilliantly, the only UK nature reserve where you can stay overnight in a luxury shepherd's hut.
We were intrigued.
Boxing Hares At Sunset
A rapid 3pm Friday school pickup. A two-hour rush-hour crawl. And suddenly, we were on our very own private safari.
Now, this isn't the Serengeti. No lions. No leopards.
But spotting boxing hares (well at least I think they were boxing!) on open marshland under a setting sun? A magical encounter and a very British spectacle. Trust me, they're huge, and the boys couldn't get enough.
We hadn't even checked in.
The Shepherd's Hut Life
Our hut was tucked right in the middle of the reserve. It was the very definition of cosy. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a fire pit, and marshmallows provided, of course.
Glamping at its absolute best. But also a tight squeeze for a family of four. The boys were practically velcroed together on a pull-out table-turned-camp-bed. Not that they complained.
Our accommodation for the weekend
Katrien and I, on the other hand, were very content. A big double bed and big sky views. A far cry from Tooting.
Mud, Rain & Murmurations
Visiting in the depths of winter is a unique experience. We explored miles of muddy pathways. Top tip: bring a bug catching kit. It kept the kids entertained and definitely saved us more than once.
They loved packing up their new bug catching kit every morning
There were still ups and downs, mind you. A long walk in pouring rain will test even the most adventurous five-year-old. But honestly, we couldn't keep the boys inside.
The highlight was pitching up at the Counterall bird hide. We all witnessed thousands of starlings twisting through the sky in fluid, hypnotic shapes. Even the kids went quiet.
Little Owls & Wild Baths
Elmley in winter definitely requires some planning:
Bring plenty of food. A ready made spag-bol for the Friday night and cooking over the fire with the kids was half the fun.
Bring your own firewood. The starter bucket disappears fast, and it’s expensive to replace.
Embrace the outdoor bath. Hot water, open sky and steam rising.
And if you want to see Little Owls, head to the Old School House ruins early in the morning. They love to sunbathe, but it requires patience. (Jax and Finn had none.)
Worth The Trip?
Without a doubt.
Properly wild in winter, probably gentler in summer. The hut was stunning, the wildlife was unlike anything we'd seen close to home, and the kids came back muddy and happy, for the most part.
We did return home Sunday night not quite ready for the week ahead. But that's a small price to pay.
The boys spent hours looking for hares (in full camo of course)
What We’re Loving At The Moment?
Before the trip we ordered the boys a Robotime Bug Catcher Kit and they were obsessed.
From a fishing net to a magnifying glass, they were happy to share (which is rare!). It’s a pretty comprehensive kit and I’m sure we’ll be using it ever time we head out on an adventure!
Photo Of The Fortnight
I love this shot of a newly born seal pup at Horsey Gap in Norfolk. Pupping season (over 9,000 pups are born annually) has to be a real highlight for any UK wildlife photographer.
It’s also pretty accessible with a young family, but I’ll save that for another newsletter.
