Late February 2026

February 23rd. 

The Art Exhibition at the Old Coastguards next to the Visitor Centre continues where three volunteers on the reserve have photo's on display and copies are available for sale (Pre-order prints). Any profits and proceeds are being donated to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. 

  "See the Reserve through the eyes and lenses of our volunteers". Please pop in and have a look, there just might be a photo you would like to see at home! The exhibition is on daily 11am to 3pm untill Sunday March 1st.

February 22nd. Continuing mild with a south-westerly breeze. An overcast morning but generally good visibility, becoming sunny in the afternoon.

  The day started with a Song Thrush singing before dawn. Visible Migration continued this morning with another 2 Woodlark and a Snow Bunting moving south with low numbers of Finches, Corvids and Starlings but it was Red Kites that were the highlight, with 18 passing through. Offshore, a Heron went south with 2 Goosander, 6 Red-breasted Merganser, 30 Red-throated Diver, 6 Pintail and a Goldeneye. 

  Flocks totalling 800 Pink-footed Geese headed north west over the Wash with another 400 remaining local. 29 White-fronted Geese were on Field 10 again along with a Red-legged Partridge. On the water bodies were 150 Shoveler, 7 Gadwall, 500 Wigeon, 150 Teal, 17 Tufted Dick and 39 Black-tailed Godwit. Also about was a Marsh Harrier (Not the usual bird - "Dangle foot"). A Peacock Butterfly was out in the weak sun during the afternoon.

White-fronted Geese on Field 10, 22nd February 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Red Kite resting, 22nd February 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Red Kite heading South, 22nd February 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

February 21st. A switch to a south-westerly wind brought milder conditions and then morning became dry after early drizzle.

  The monthly WeBS count, despite being a fairly low spring tide, produced a brilliant wader roost with over 2500 Oystercatchers, 6200 Dunlin, 420 Sanderling, 15000 Knot, 800 Bar-tailed Godwit and an exceptional 8000 Grey Plover. A Goosander passed through the Haven and 15 Red-throated Divers headed south offshore.

  Although still very early in the years, there was just a hint of visible migration with several Chaffinch, a Siskin and an alba wagtail moving south. Something was also happening with Woodlarks; two were present on the south saltings from early on, then another bird arrived form the north heading south, then inland and later, a group of three arrived from the north and headed south along the Outer Ridge, probably then heading out over the Wash. Also heading south, a Red Kite and a Raven. Remarkably, another Woodlark went through at mid day.

Curlew, 20th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Goldcrest, 20th February -226
Photo - Mike Watts

Goldcrest, 20th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Goldcrest, 20th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Mid February 2026

February 20th. A cold start, warming up through the day though in a near constant drizzle and light rain with a light south westerly wind.

  Another good roost of waders on the morning tide involving 3000 Grey Plover, 3000 Dunlin and 5000 Knot. Sea watching highlights were a Black-throated Diver and male Goldeneye south. 

Teal coming in to land!, 20th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Curlew, 20th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Little Egret, 20th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

February 19th. Another cold day with rain on and off all day in a strong easterly wind.

  Today was the start of an Art Exhibition at the Old Coastguards next to the Visitor Centre where several volunteers have photo's on display and copies are available for sale (Pre-order prints). Any profits and proceeds are being donated to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. 

  "See the Reserve through the eyes and lenses of our volunteers". Please pop in and have a look, there just might be a photo you need to display at home! The exhibition is on daily 11am to 3pm until Sunday March 1st.

  Highlights today were 12 Barnacle Geese on Field 10 with 3 Mistle Thrushes there also. A Crossbill was over North Carpark during the morning and a Tawny Owl was calling from the Plantation during the evening.

Our local Marsh Harrier with a gammy leg, nicknamed by regulars - "Dangle Foot"
19th February 2026, Photo - Mike Watts

Drake Tufted Duck - mid dive, 19th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

February 18th. Another cloudy but dry day but feeling colder still in a moderate biting easterly wind.

  Ten Barnacle Geese were still on Field 10 along with 23 White-fronted Geese. The high tide brought over 15000 mixed waders up to roost but sea watching was again very poor with just 1 drake Red-breasted Merganser on the sea and 2 Red-throated Diver (North). On the beach were 42 Curlew and 122 Cormorant.

  The water bodies held 11 Shelduck, 153 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 350 Wigeon, 2 Pintail (A pair on the Mere), 120 Teal, 25 Tufted Duck, 5 Little Grebe, 27 Black-tailed Godwit. On Croft Marsh, there were 40 Golden Plover and 600 Lapwing.

Lapwings over Croft Marsh, 17th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Curlew, 14th February 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

Drake Shoveler, 14th February 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

Gull Roost on Greenshanks Creek, 14th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Seal travelling up the river on high tide, 14th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

February 17th. A sunnier day and staying dry in a moderate to light north westerly wind.

  Highlight of the day was a sea watch that produced an unexpected Sooty Shearwater heading south at 7.50am, seen by two observers. Also seen on the sea watch was 4 Pintail, 17 Eider, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Red-throated Divers. On the beach, there were 1500 Herring Gull and 67 Cormorants.

  On the Field 10 there were again, 12 Barnacle Geese, 34 White-fronted Geese, 36 Curlew, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, 2 Mistle Thrush and 2 Red-legged Partridges. On Croft Marsh were 120 Golden Plover, 29 Black-tailed Godwits, 22 Curlew and 1200 Lapwing. The water bodies held 220 Shoveler, 450 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 1 Water Rail and a Cetti's Warbler.

  Also of note today were 1 Woodcock, 1 Adult male Marsh Harrier, 1 3rd CY male Hen Harrier, 2 Buzzard, 1 Red Kite (South at 11,30am), 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Rook (South), 1 Male Stonechat (Compartment 26) and 21 Corn Buntings (Usual tree by the hump).

3 Barnacle Geese, 4 White-fronted Geese and 2 Pink-footed Geese, 17th February 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Brent Geese, 17th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Tufted Ducks, 17th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Drake Shoveler, 15th February 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

Cormorant heading up the coast, 14th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Sparrowhawk with a ring on, 15th February 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

February 16th. A drier day with broken cloud and just a couple of showers during the afternoon in a light easterly wind.

  Field 10 was again home to the 12 Barnacle Geese and 23 White-fronted Geese. Elsewhere on the water bodies around the reserve and Croft Marsh, there were 75 Pink-footed Geese, 191 Shoveler, 23 Gadwall, 500 Wigeon, 52 Mallard, 280 teal, 35 Tufted Duck, 23 Coot, 7 Little Grebe, 150 Golden Plover, 1200 Lapwing, 59 Curlew and 31 Black-tailed Godwit.

  Other birds around included, a Marsh Harrier, 3 Red Kites (All south over Croft Marsh - a single and a pair), 3 Buzzard and 120 Jackdaw.

12 Barnacle Geese & 12 White-fronted Geese 16th February 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Red Kite, 16th February 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Male Stonechat, 14th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Female Stonechat, 14th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Corn Bunting, 14th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Skylark, 14th February 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

February 15th. A wet day with rain and intermittent heavy snow showers in a light southerly wind becoming northerly later on.

  Highlight of the day was at Field 10 which was again home to 21 White-fronted Geese during the afternoon.

Male Tufted Duck, 14th February 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Female Tufted Duck, 14th February 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

A Pair of Mallards, 14th February 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

Lapwings on Tennyson's Sands, 14th February 2026
Photo - Jeremy Eyeons

February 14th. A dry day with good amounts of sunshine. A light northerly wind becoming southerly later on.

  Highlights of the day were again, all around the Geese on Field 10 where there were 12 Barnacle Geese, 23 White-fronted Geese, 5 Bean Geese and 1 Egyptian Goose.

  On the beach were 480 Oystercatcher, 63 Curlew, 170 Sanderling, 130 Redshank and 3000 Herring Gulls. Flying south over the sea was a Red-throated Diver.

  The water bodies around the reserve held 174 Shoveler, 13 Gadwall, 450 Wigeon, 130 Teal, 39 Tufted Duck, 6 Little Grebe, 21 Black-tailed Godwits and 1 Cetti's Warbler. On Croft Marsh and beyond were 2000 Lapwing and 350 Golden Plover. Elsewhere around the reserve were 450 Pink-footed Geese, 4 Woodcock, 2 Marsh Harrier, 5 Buzzard, 28 Fieldfare, 2 Mistle Thrush, 6 Stonechats (Storm Ridge) and 19 Corn Buntings.

White-fronted Geese, 14th February 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Barnacle Geese and single Egyptian Geese, 14th February 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

Shoveler's, 14th February 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

Lapwings, 14th February 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

Curlews, 14th February 2026
Photo - Paul Neale

Teak on the river bank, 14th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Ringed Plover on the estuary, 14th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Redshank on the estuary, 14th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

February 13th. Another cloudy day with occasional light rain and normal service resumes with a light easterly again.

  On Tennyson's Sands was a fine female Goosander. Also about were 200 Brent Geese, 46 Shelduck, 2 Buzzards, 1 Marsh Harrier and 21 Corn Buntings.

Female Goosander, 13th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Female Goosander, 13th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Shoveler's, 13th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Canada Goose fly over, 13th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Double Buzzard, 13th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

February 12th. A cloudy day but staying dry for most of it. The light breeze starting the day in the west and finishing the day in the north east.

  On the water bodies were 160 Shoveler, 200 wigeon, 100 Teal, 20 Tufted Duck, 3 Little Grebe, 1 Water Rail, 34 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

  Also on Croft Marsh and beyond were 3000 Lapwing and also around were 2 Marsh Harrier.

Wigeon on Croft Marsh, 12th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Shoveler's, 12th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Gadwall, 12th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Curlews, 12th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Lapwing, 12th February 2026
Photo - David Nutt

February 11th. Another wet day with cloud and rain on and off all day in a continuing light easterly wind becoming southerly by mid afternoon.

  The large numbers of Shoveler's on the water bodies meant that today, a co-ordinated count was done of all three hides on Tennyson's Sands, the Mere and Jacksons Marsh. This resulted in a new reserve record count of 233 Shoveler!

  Also on the water bodies around the reserve early morning, were 120 Pink-footed Geese, 5 Gadwall, 700 Wigeon, 2 Pintail (Pair again on Moat Pond), 80 Teal, 21 Tufted Duck, 1 female Scaup (Tennyson's at first, later on Jacksons), 9 Little Grebe, 5000 Lapwing (Croft Marsh), 27 Curlew, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 male Marsh Harrier and 1 Cetti's Warbler (Jackson's Marsh).

  Mid morning, 2 Egyptian Geese were on Tennyson's Sands. Then early afternoon 19 White-fronted Geese and 10 Barnacle Geese flew over Tennyson's Sands.