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 185–207 of 228 species
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon year-round resident, with passage birds boosting numbers on coastal and fenland scrapes in spring and autumn.
Year-round
Sand Martin
Riparia ripariaLC
An uncommon breeding visitor, nesting in sandy riverbanks and gravel pits from March to September.
Mar–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
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensisLC
Breeds at coastal colonies and feeds offshore from May to October. Plunge-dives for fish along the Lincolnshire shoreline.
May–Oct
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenusLC
A common summer breeder in Lincolnshire's reedbeds and wetland margins from April to September, delivering its rapid, chattering song from dense vegetation.
Apr–Sep
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
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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
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelosLC
A common resident singing from hedgerows and gardens. Lincolnshire's farmland hedges provide important nesting habitat.
Year-round
Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisusLC
An uncommon but widespread resident, hunting small birds in woodland, hedgerows, and increasingly in gardens across the county.
Year-round
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
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropusLC
An uncommon year-round resident of coastal marshes and estuarine mudflats, most conspicuous on the Wash during autumn passage.
Year-round
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
Stock Dove
Columba oenasLC
A common resident breeding in old trees and farm buildings, often seen in fast flight over arable fields and parkland.
Year-round
Stonechat
Saxicola torquatusLC
An uncommon resident of gorse-covered heaths and coastal scrub, present most months but scarce in midsummer.
Jul–May
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
Treecreeper
Certhia familiarisLC
An unobtrusive year-round resident, spiralling up tree trunks in mature woodland and parkland across the county.
Year-round
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligulaLC
A common resident on lakes, reservoirs and gravel pits throughout the county, with numbers increasing in winter.
Year-round
Tundra Bean Goose
Anser serrirostrisLC
A rare midwinter visitor, occasionally found among other goose flocks on fenland fields and coastal marshes.
Dec–Feb