Unlocking the best birdwatching sites in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire bird trail
Welcome to one of the premier birdwatching counties in the UK. With its wide-open landscapes, long sweeping coastline and the unspoilt rolling hills of the Wolds, Lincolnshire is home to a diverse range of habitats. It is one of the best, and arguably one of the most under-watched, counties for birding in the UK.
Why not join us on the Lincolnshire Bird Trail to find the best places to go and all the inside information to get the best out of a visit at any time of year. Some of the Birdwatching suggestions have been identified as ‘Gateway Sites’, this is because they have more facilities such as a café and visitor centre. Other sites maybe more basic just offering parking, in which case we suggest nearby alternatives for refreshments.
The Lincolnshire Bird Trail is a partnership between Visit Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire Bird Club, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, The RSPB, Natural England, The National Trust and the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership.
Lincolnshire Wolds bird trail
Find a variety of landscapes including woodland, a steep sided river valley, reservoirs, reclaimed land, a former WWII airfield and the open rolling hills of the Wolds. Charming market towns like Louth and Horncastle make great gateways to your exploring providing plenty of shops, places to eat and stay.
Lincolnshire Coastal bird trail
The Lincolnshire Coast has a diverse range of habitats and associated birdlife. From skeins of brent and pink footed geese on the coast in the winter, reed-beds that are home to bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers.
Lincolnshire Fens bird trail
The Fens unsurprisingly includes some excellent wetland habitats. One of the best, is also the newest, Willow Tree Fen Nature Reserve has resident Common Cranes which have been absent from the Lincolnshire Fens for hundreds of years.
Lincolnshire Western Edge bird trail
The western side of Lincolnshire is dominated by the Lincoln Cliff. This limestone escarpment runs for over 50 miles, broken only twice at Ancaster and Lincoln through which the rivers Slea and Witham respectively flow. Our birding recommendations include woods, former gravel pits and not one but two landscape recovery projects.
Top birding tips from local experts
Toby's Top Tips for birding on the Lincolnshire coast
Toby shares his top tips to help you get the most out of your birding experience, from checking the tide times and the weather forecast to researching the species ahead of your visit. A little forward planning can hugely affect your viewing chances.
Ian's Top Tips for bird photography
Ian talks us through his guide to capturing successful bird photography. Learn about cameras and settings, how to maximise your chances of a successful shot and importantly how to do so without disturbing the wildlife.
Frampton marsh
the coastal bird trail
Frampton Marsh is one of the key sites on the Lincolnshire Bird Trail. With a coastal bird trail that runs from the Humber all the way down the coast down to The Wash, there is a huge range of species and habitats. Watch our video to learn more.
the coastal bird trail
view the map
The coastal trail is the first trail, it is made up of a collection of the best birding sites along the coast. Download the free map to explore the site in further detail.
find a place to stay along the trails
Longwool Lookout at the Rookery Rural Retreats
Louth Livestock Market Motorhome Stopover
Off-the-Grid Camping at Wykeham Hall Farm
The Saddlehouse at Wykeham Hall Farm
The Stables at the Rookery Rural Retreats
Brackenborough Hall Coach House
Double Tree Forest Pines Golf & Spa Resort
Elmhirst Lakes Luxury Fishing Retreat
Greetham Retreat CL Touring Site
Grimblethorpe Hall Country Cottages
Hampton by Hilton Humberside Airport
Katie’s Corner at Greetham Retreat
Laura’s Loft at Greetham Retreat
Maggie’s Mews at Greetham Retreat
Rose’s Rest at Greetham Retreat
Sawcliffe Manor Country House & Cottages
The Half Moon Hotel and Restaurant
Wendy’s Wing at Greetham Retreat
Holme Lea Caravan & Camping Site (inc. Green Gables Luxury Wagon)
Otby House Farm Caravan and Camping Site
Poachers Hideaway Holiday Cottages
more things to do along the way
ARK Wildlife Park & Rescue Zoo
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre (BBMF)
Chapel St Leonards – Coastal Country Park Walks
Humber to The Wash Cycle Route
Boston Tourist Information Centre
Butlin’s Big Weekenders – Skegness
Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway
Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort by The QHotels Collection
Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre
Laceby Manor Spa & Golf Resort
Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre
Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway
Lincolnshire Llama Cleethorpes
Medieval Maze and Victorian Splendour Cycle Route
Orchard Farm Equestrian Centre
Play Avenue – Role Play Centre
Pretty Little Acorns Jewellery
The Cheese Shed @ Cote Hill Farm
The King Charles III England Coast Path
Alfred Enderby Traditional Fish Smokers
Back 2 Bear Outdoor Activities
Bain Valley, Belmont Mast, Biscathorpe Lake Birdwatching
Bardney Woods & Wetlands Birdwatching
Chapel St Leonards to Skegness Promenade Cycling
Cleethorpes Seafront Birdwatching
Covenham Reservoir Birdwatching
Donna Nook National Nature Reserve Birdwatching
Far Ings National Nature Reserve Birdwatching
Huttoft Bank Pit Nature Reserve
Kugae Gundogs & Sporting Antiques
Lincoln & Witham Landscape Recovery
Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park Birdwatching
Messingham Sand Quarry Birdwatching
Messingham Sand Quarry Nature Reserve
Red Hill & Stenigot Birdwatching
Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes
Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes Birdwatching
South Ormsby Estate Birdwatching
South Ormsby Estate’s Lincoln Red Beef
Sutton on Sea to Chapel St Leonards Promenade Cycling
The Ship Inn, Chapel St Leonards
Willingham Forest & Linwood Warren Birdwatching
Woodhall Airfield and Kirkby Reserves Birdwatching
Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve
‘Tails’ of the Riverbank Cycle Route
Alford to the Coast Cycle Route
Blackfriars Theatre and Arts Centre
Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre
Edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds – Market Rasen to Caistor Cycle Route
Edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds – Market Rasen to Wickenby Cycle Route
Grimsby Revolution Cycle Route
In Search of the Lost Don Cycle Route
Iron and Agriculture Cycle Route
Lincolnshire Wolds Cycle Route
Lincolnshire Wolds’ Challenge Cycle Route
Mumby to Hogsthorpe – Coastal Country Park Walks
Mysteries of the Marshes Cycle Route
Poacher Line Railway Station Walks
Sandhills and Windmills Cycle Route
Spilsby to Wainfleet All Saints Cycle Route
The Skegness and District Heritage Centre
The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft
Wainfleet All Saints to Alford Cycle Route