Most of the inhabitants of Sidderton were asleep that night so they never knew what had happened. Some might have guessed from the howling wind of the previous day, one or two heard its noise, but no one actually saw it. If they had they might have been more prepared for what was to follow. At first they thought those who reported sightings of the Strange Bird the next morning had gone mad, or were drunk. But they soon got used to the idea - for since that night, Sidderton would never be the same again.