Woodhall Airfield and Kirkby Reserves Birdwatching

Birds here include breeding waders such as lapwing and little ringed plover, little egret, wintering wildfowl and a range of open country birds such as reed bunting, yellowhammer and skylark.

Nearby Kirkby Moor is one of the largest remnants of heathland that remains in the area and is known for breeding woodlark, kestrel, cuckoo and green woodpecker. Moor Farm is a nice mix of woodland, heath, pastures and wet bog. A range of species can therefore be found including a good mix of woodland birds such as lesser redpoll, siskin, nuthatch and treecreeper.

Lastly, Kirkby Gravel Pit is worth a stop, even if just to view the open water and reed edges from the hide. In spring and summer, the pits attract many breeding birds such as reed and sedge warbler and the islands have nesting little ringed plover and common tern. The surrounding woodland and scrub support eight species of warbler and the lucky observer may be rewarded with turtle dove. Late summer and autumn bring migrant waders such as green sandpiper whilst kingfisher and green woodpecker can be seen at any time of year.

In winter the reserve is an important refuge for a variety of wetland birds. Wildfowl numbers build at this time of year and it always worth scanning for something more unusual such as a wintering smew. Along with Woodhall Airfield, this site provides the most chance of a rare or scarce species and in the past these have included black-winged stilt, glossy Ibis and American wigeon.

Uncommon birds are always a possibility, particularly in spring and autumn.