Rare Birds in Lincolnshire
97 species matching this filter.
Lincolnshire's diverse landscapes — from the vast mudflats of The Wash to the rolling Wolds and expansive fenlands — attract a remarkable variety of rare bird species. With 86 rare species recorded, the county offers exciting opportunities to spot elusive visitors such as Bluethroat, Great Grey Shrike, Common Crane, and Arctic Loon. Whether scanning coastal marshes or exploring quiet woodland edges, birdwatchers in Lincolnshire can encounter some truly exceptional avian rarities throughout the year.
Showing 70–92 of 97 species
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare non-breeding visitor, mainly seen along the coast and the Wash from autumn through to early spring.
Sep–Mar
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
A rare resident, occasionally seen on larger lakes and gravel pits. Numbers in England are slowly increasing from feral and continental birds.
Year-round
Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally seen on coastal waters or sheltered estuaries in December during cold-weather movements.
Dec
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
A rare passage migrant in June and July, occasionally stopping at coastal pools and inland scrapes on its Arctic migration.
Jun–Jul
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
Rare non-breeding visitor to coastal waters, most often seen offshore from autumn through early spring during seawatching sessions.
Sep–Mar
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatusLC
A rare passage migrant seen briefly in April and October, mainly at coastal sites. This upland thrush pauses in Lincolnshire during migration.
Oct–Apr
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare passage visitor in late summer, with occasional sightings on gravel pits and reservoirs. Origins of individuals are often debated.
Jul–Sep
Sanderling
Calidris albaLC
A rare but year-round visitor to sandy beaches along the coast, often seen in small flocks running along the tideline.
Year-round
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Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris pusillaNT
A very rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally recorded in October among flocks of small waders on coastal pools and mudflats.
Oct
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeusLC
A rare resident, hunting over coastal marshes and fenland. Winter numbers are boosted by continental birds at sites like the Wash.
Year-round
Smew
Mergellus albellusLC
A scarce winter visitor from northern Europe, occasionally found on sheltered lakes and reservoirs from December to March.
Dec–Mar
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalisLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to the coast, with small groups sometimes found on shingle beaches and saltmarshes near Gibraltar Point in winter.
Oct–Feb
Snow Goose
Anser caerulescensLC
A rare passage visitor, with occasional records in January. Often of uncertain origin, sometimes associating with wild goose flocks on the Wash.
Jan
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striataLC
A rare and declining summer breeder, arriving in May. Favours woodland edges and mature gardens where it sallies out from perches to catch insects.
May–Sep
Stilt Sandpiper
Calidris himantopusNT
An extremely rare Nearctic vagrant, with occasional July–August records at coastal scrapes. A prized find for county listers.
Jul–Aug
Tawny Owl
Strix alucoLC
A rare resident of mature woodland and parkland, more often heard than seen. Lincolnshire's limited tree cover restricts numbers.
Year-round
Temminck's Stint
Calidris temminckiiLC
A rare passage migrant, briefly visiting freshwater scrapes in May and August. Easily overlooked among flocks of Little Stints and Dunlin.
May–Aug
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialisLC
A rare passage migrant through Lincolnshire, occasionally noted at coastal scrub and woodland edges in May, June and September.
May–Sep
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally found among other goose flocks on fenland fields and coastal marshes.
Dec–Feb
Tundra Swan
Cygnus columbianusLC
A rare winter visitor to the Fens and Wash, sometimes found among Whooper Swan herds on flooded fields from December to February.
Dec–Feb
Twite
Linaria flavirostrisLC
A rare winter visitor, with small flocks occasionally found on coastal saltmarshes and stubble fields along the Wash from October to March.
Oct–Mar
Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fuscaVU
A rare passage visitor in late autumn, occasionally seen offshore along the Lincolnshire coast among Common Scoter flocks.
Oct–Dec
Water Pipit
Anthus spinolettaLC
A rare winter visitor found at freshwater marshes and watercress beds, mainly along the coast and fenland fringes from October to March.
Oct–Mar