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 208–228 of 228 species
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
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of reedbeds and marshy ditches, more often heard giving its pig-like squeal than seen.
Year-round
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
A common resident of reedbeds and marshes, quartering low over fens at sites like Frampton and Donna Nook throughout the year.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
An uncommon passage visitor to open coastal fields and ploughed land, mainly seen in spring and early autumn.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
Passes through coastal marshes and fields from April to October, with distinctive seven-note call. A scarce breeder in the county.
Apr–Oct
Spotted something?
Upload a photo to identify it
Identify
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
An uncommon passage migrant in spring and autumn, favouring rough grassland and coastal scrub. Most often seen in May and August–September.
May–Sep
White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollisVU
Rare transatlantic vagrant appearing on coastal pools and mudflats from July to October, favouring freshwater margins alongside other waders.
Jul–Oct
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer visitor breeding in hedgerows and scrubby farmland edges from April to September. Its scratchy song is typical of Lincolnshire's rural lanes.
Apr–Sep
Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
An uncommon resident, with wintering herds from Iceland gathering on fenland fields and washlands. Small numbers may summer.
Year-round
Willow Tit
Poecile montanusLC
A rare and declining visitor to Lincolnshire's scrubby woodland edges, mostly seen outside the breeding season. One of the UK's fastest-declining species.
Aug–Apr
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
An uncommon breeding visitor from April to October, favouring woodland edges and scrubby hedgerows. Its descending song is a hallmark of spring.
Apr–Oct
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
An uncommon breeder from May to September, favouring marshy pools and wet meadows. A scarce but regular presence at key wetlands.
May–Sep
Woodlark
Lullula arboreaLC
A rare spring passage migrant, occasionally noted on heathland edges and open ground between March and May.
Mar–May
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident found year-round in woodlands, parks and gardens across the county. Numbers swell in autumn with continental immigrants.
Year-round
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
A summer breeder favouring the county's low-lying arable fields and wet meadows. Lincolnshire remains a stronghold for this declining species.
Apr–Oct
Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant from Siberia, occasionally turning up along the coast at sites like Gibraltar Point in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
A rare breeder, occasionally found among large gull flocks at reservoirs and coastal sites from late winter through autumn.
Jul–Sep
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
A common resident of farmland hedgerows and arable field margins, delivering its distinctive song from exposed perches year-round.
Year-round