Little Egret, Frampton Marsh, Lincolnshire

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.

Birdwatching Partners

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.