Birds in Lincolnshire
Explore 228 species found in this region.
Lincolnshire is one of England's most rewarding counties for birdwatching, with 217 recorded species found across its diverse landscapes of coastal marshes, fenlands, farmland, and woodland. The county's extensive coastline along The Wash and the Humber Estuary provides vital habitat for wading birds and wildfowl, while inland sites attract notable species such as Cetti's Warbler, Hen Harrier, and Great White Egret. From the commons of the Lincolnshire Wolds to the vast skies over the fens, the county offers exceptional birding opportunities throughout the year.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Barn Swallow arriving this month, and Bluethroat and Eurasian Woodcock depart for the season.
Showing 1–23 of 228 species
Aquatic Warbler
Acrocephalus paludicolaVU
A globally threatened species recorded very rarely on passage, typically in reedbeds along the coast during June.
Jun
Arctic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticusLC
An uncommon autumn passage migrant seen offshore from August to October, often harassing terns and gulls along the coast.
Aug–Oct
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally spotted offshore or in coastal waters around the Wash and along the Lincolnshire coast.
Nov–Jan
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
A rare breeder, nesting at a few coastal colonies. Passes through on migration from April to October, best seen at Gibraltar Point.
Apr–Oct
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
A common resident, breeding on coastal lagoons and the Wash before dispersing in winter. An elegant sight at RSPB Frampton Marsh.
Year-round
Baird's Sandpiper
Calidris bairdiiLC
An extremely rare Nearctic vagrant, with occasional August records. Any sighting at coastal pools is a major county rarity.
Aug
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicusLC
A rare visitor, likely an escapee from captive collections. Occasionally recorded in late summer.
Aug
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
An uncommon but year-round presence on the Wash, with peak numbers in winter. Feeds on mudflats and sandy shores.
Year-round
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Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
An uncommon year-round resident, often seen hunting over the county's farmland, fens, and grasslands at dusk and dawn.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A familiar summer visitor, nesting in farm buildings across Lincolnshire's agricultural landscape. Some linger into November before heading south.
Apr–Nov
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
An uncommon year-round resident, with feral birds on inland waters supplemented by wild Arctic breeders in winter.
Year-round
Bearded Tit
Panurus biarmicusLC
A rare but prized resident of reedbeds, with key sites along the coast and the Fens. Listen for its distinctive pinging call in autumn.
Year-round
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare October passage migrant, most often noted at coastal sites and industrial buildings along the Lincolnshire shoreline.
Oct
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A rare passage visitor of Australian origin, with occasional escapees or wandering feral birds noted in autumn.
Sep–Oct
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
Rare but elegant marsh tern seen dipping over freshwater pools during spring and autumn passage, often at inland reserves.
Apr–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A rare breeding species at a handful of inland pools and gravel pits. Present from April to August, favouring well-vegetated waterbodies.
Apr–Oct
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
Present year-round on the Wash and coastal grazing marshes. Large flocks gather at sites like Frampton Marsh, a key UK stronghold.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
An abundant resident found in gardens, hedgerows, and woodland across the county. Numbers are boosted by continental migrants in autumn and winter.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
Present year-round but uncommon; breeding birds are joined by wintering continental visitors to hedgerows and garden feeders.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
A familiar garden visitor year-round, readily using nest boxes in Lincolnshire's towns, villages and woodland edges.
Year-round
Bluethroat
Luscinia svecicaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally recorded along the coast in March. A prized find for Lincolnshire birders.
Mar
Bohemian Waxwing
Bombycilla garrulusLC
A rare and irruptive winter visitor, appearing in some years in berry-laden trees in towns and hedgerows, mainly in December and January.
Dec–Jan
Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphiaLC
An extremely rare North American vagrant, with occasional April records among flocks of Black-headed Gulls at coastal sites.
Apr