Early April 2026

 Upcoming events at the Visitor Centre: -

Talk & Dinner - One Good Tern deserves a Shorebird Warden. Friday 17th April 6:30-9pm https://OneGoodTernDeservesaShorebirdWarden.eventbrite.co.uk

Drop-in-event - A Day for the Little Tern, Saturday 18th April, 10am-4pm -

Join us as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our Shorebird Sanctuary and discover how this special place has changed over the decades. - Drop-in activities for all ages.https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2026-04-18-day-little-tern

April 3rd. Cloudy for much of the day with sunny breaks late on in a moderate southerly wind.

  Early news involved 2 freshly arrived Firecrest around Mill Hill. Then a Crane was located circling over the entrance to the reserve before drifting off. A Brambling was on Sykes Farm track around the feeding station.

On Jackson's Marsh were 32 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, 4 Avocets, 15 Black-tailed Godwits and Tennyson's Sands, the long staying Scaup was still present.

Long staying female Scaup on Tennyson's Sands, 3rd April 2026
Photo - Jack Hood
April 2nd. Another cloudy day throughout, staying cool well into the day in a light northerly wind.

  Highlight of the day was the long staying Shorelark which was still on the foreshore saltings. A Raven went inland over Mill Hill at 8.14am, with another 2 circling high over the visitor centre later on in the morning. A Red Kite went south mid morning.

  A brief look at the sea revealed a drake Eider (On the sea) and a Common Scoter (North) and 1 Sandwich Tern (South) whilst on the beach were 546 Herring Gulls, 12 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 8 Great Black-backed Gulls a Peregrine (Greenshank's Creek) and a Merlin.

  On Tennyson's Sands were 28 Avocet and 15 Black-tailed Godwits. Also about were 5 Buzzards (High over Croft Marsh), 2 Redwing and 4 Siskin.

Long staying Shorelark on the foreshore saltings, 2nd April 2026
Video - Nige Lound

Merlin on the beach, 2nd April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Displaying Ringed Plover on the beach, 2nd April 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
April 1st. Cloudy and dull start to the day, but remaining dry with a light westerly breeze.

Conditions provided excellent visibility over the sea and shore. The morning flight of Common Scoter involved 270 moving into the Wash but otherwise, just 4 Red-throated Divers, 6 Red-breasted Mergansers and 2 Great crested Grebes.

  There was virtually no visible migration other than a Sand Martin, a Brambling, 4 Snipe and  a Sparrowhawk, so a good opportunity to scan through the large gulls along the beach. 2 Caspian Gulls were identified but only 6 Greater Black-backed Gulls compared to 600 Herring Gulls, also on the beach were 14 Turnstone.  A Black Redstart was a new arrival on the East Dunes and may well  turn up at the Visitor Centre later. A Spoonbill went south.

  On the water bodies were 64 Brent Geese, 54 Shelduck, 67 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 5 Wigeon, 12 Mallard, 24 Teal, 34 Tufted Duck, 1 female Scaup (Long staying bird on Tennyson's Sands), 1  Water Rail (Fenella Hope Hide), 14 Little Grebe, 19 Avocet, 16 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Spoonbill and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

  Also about today were 2 Buzzard, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Siskin, a male Blackcap, 2 Redwing (North) and a Peregrine. Of interest, locally the first reported Swallow of the year was seen today just down the road in Burgh le Marsh.

  Over night Moth trapping in Sykes Farm resulted in 210 Moths of 19 Species. The reserves 3rd ever Dotted Chestnut (After 2 in April 2024) and a Lead-coloured Drab (About annual) were both eclipsed by a stunning, fresh Blossom Underwing, a first for the reserve!.

Blossom Underwing Moth, 1st April 2026
Photo - Nige Lound
Dotted Chestnut Moth, 1st April 2026
Photo - Nige Lound
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Late March 2026

March 31st. A cloudy start to the day clearing to blue skies by evening in a very light westerly breeze.

  The water bodies contained 83 Brent Geese, 20 Tufted Duck, 42 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 6 Little Grebe, 21 Avocet and 2 Oystercatcher.

  Also around the reserve were 7 Chiffchaff and 3 Siskin

Avocets on Tennyson's Sands, 31st March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Singing Skylark, 31st March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Chiffchaff, 31st March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 31st March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
March 30th. A sunny but cold start warming up later on in a moderate westerly wind.

  A look at the sea resulted in 2 Kittiwake, 1 Gannet heading North and 2000 Grey Plover, 3500 Knot and 200 Dunlin, 180 Sanderling moving about on the high tide. On the beach were 11 Turnstone and 3 Ringed Plover.

  The water bodies held a Great White Egret (Jackson's Marsh), 16 Little Egrets, 133 Brent Geese, 46 Shelduck, 47 Tufted Duck, 5 Shoveler, 4 Gadwall, 1 female Scaup (Long staying bird), 17 Avocet, 13 Black-tailed Godwit and a Water Rail.

  Also about were a  Lapland Bunting (Over the Wash Viewpoint during the afternoon), Cetti's Warbler (Mill Hill area), 1 Chiffchaff, 16 Corn Buntings and 1 Barn Owl.

Tufted Duck, 30th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Grey Seal, 30th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Grey Seal, 30th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
March 29th. A cloudy day with afternoon rain and a moderate south westerly wind becoming a strong westerly later on as the cloud breaks up.

  Highlights of the day were again, the 3 White-fronted Geese on Tennyson's Sands and a pair of Common Crossbill briefly in the pines again at North Car Park.

  The water bodies held 130 Brent Geese, 28 Shelduck, 64 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall, 80 Wigeon, 8 Mallard, 16 Teal, 29 Tufted Duck, 12 Little Grebe, 14 Avocet, 16 Curlew, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gull and a Cetti's Warbler.

  Also around today were 1 Eider (On the Sea), 1 Merlin (Old Saltmarsh), 1 Buzzard, another Cetti's Warbler (around Mill Hill) and 9 Chiffchaff.

Sparrowhawk, 29th March 2026
Photo - Nige Lound
Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 29th March 2026
Photo - Nige Lound
March 28th. A sunny day with broken cloud drifting through in a moderate westerly wind, staying cold for much of the day.

  Todays highlights were again the 3 White-fronted Geese on Tennyson's Sands and the Spoonbill still present there also.

  Also on the water bodies were 95 Brent Geese, 35 Pink-footed Geese (Croft Marsh), 52 Shelduck, 66 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 113 Wigeon, 20 Mallard, 40 Teal, 48 Tufted Duck, 13 Little Grebe, 24 Avocet, 12 Black-tailed Godwit and 7 Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

  On the beach were 8 Turnstone. Heading south were a Red Kite and 10 Chaffinch. Also recorded were 12 Snipe (Old Saltmarsh), 1 Kingfisher, 1 Peregrine, 3 Buzzard, 10 Chiffchaff, 1 Brambling, 1 Collared Dove, 60 Linnet (Shorebird hut area) and a Corn Bunting.

March 27th. A cloudy day again, feeling cold and occasional rain showers passing through in the light south westerly wind.

  Highlights of the day were again 3 White-fronted Geese on Tennyson's Sands, the female Scaup was still on there and the years second Spoonbill arrived after a flyover bird back on the 25th February..

  Elsewhere on the water bodies, were 105 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 120 Wigeon, 28 Teal, 29 Tufted Duck, 11 Little Grebe, 18 Avocet, 12 Lapwing, 28 Curlew, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 168 Common Gull, 320 Herring Gull, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 14 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 1 Cetti's Warbler (North Hide).

  Also recorded today were 3 Buzzard, 1 Barn Owl, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Red-legged Partridge and 2 Grey Partridge.

Second Spoonbill of the year, 27th March 2026
Photo - Nige Lound

x3 White-fronted Geese, 27th March 2026
Photo - Nige Lound
March 26th. A cold start to the day with  clear skies becoming cloudier through the day in a light north westerly breeze.

  Highlight of the day was again the 3 White-fronted Geese on Tennyson's Sands and 2 Ravens that flew over heading North.

  On the Water bodies around the reserve were 81 Shoveler, 40 Tufted Duck, 40 Shelduck, 100 Brent Geese, 4 Little Grebe, 11 Avocet, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 7 Lesser-black Backed Gulls and a Cetti's Warbler singing near North Hide. At least 12 Chiffchaff were singing around the reserve and a Short-eared Owl was near the Hump and Visitor Centre.

x3 White-fronted Geese, 26th March 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Brent Geese, 26th March 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Canada Goose chasing off a Roe Deer, 26th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Cetti's Warbler singing on Tennyson's Sands, 26th March 2026
Photo - Ste Taylor
Long-tailed Tit carrying nesting materials, 26th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Short-eared Owl, 26th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Corn Bunting, 26th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
March 25th. A cloudy day with occasional sunny breaks in a decreasing westerly wind which peaked at at a fierce 78kph at Donna Nook overnight.

  Highlight of the day was again, the 2 White-fronted Geese which were again on Tennyson's Sands. Also on the foreshore, the lone Shorelark was still on the saltings on the foreshore. Migration had slowed down considerably but a single Mediterranean Gull and 6 Red Kites went South as did 3 Siskins, with another 14 in the Plantation. Three Fieldfare went north over the Plantation. Seven Chiffchaff were singing.

  Also on the water bodies were 73 Brent Geese, 46 Shelduck, 112 Shoveler, 11 Gadwall, 300 Wigeon, 7 Mallard, 22 Teal, 65 Tufted Duck, 15 Little Grebe, 26 Avocet, 12 Lapwing, 33 Curlew, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Lesser Black-backed Gull and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

Our lonesome Shorelark on the foreshore saltings, 25th March 2026
Photo - Tom Baker
Shorelark on the foreshore saltings, 25th March 2026
Photo - Tom Baker

Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, 25th March 2026
Photo - Nige Lound
Shoveler's and a drake Wigeon, 25th March 2026
Photo - David Nutt

Drake Shoveler - getting that itch? 25th March 2026
Photo - David Nutt
Squabbling Canada Geese, 25th March 2026
Photo - David Nutt

A young buck Roe Deer arrives, 25th March 2026
Photo - David Nutt
The buck's arrival send the girls running! 25th March 2026
Photo - David Nutt
March 24th. A cloudy day again but a bit colder with an increasing south westerly wind, reaching 45mph by dusk.

  Visible migration was back on today with 522 Chaffinch, 178 Siskins and 22 Goldfinch heading South in an hour and a quarter from 7.15amn to 8.30am along the West Dunes. A reduced number was evident on the East Dunes but most were too high up to be visible to count.

  On the water bodies were 72 Shelduck, 42 Shoveler, 32 Tufted Duck, 133 Wigeon, 4 Gadwall, 8 Little Grebe, 29 Avocet, 3 Redshank, 2 Oystercatchers, a Great White Egret (Tennyson's Sands) and a Cetti's Warbler (By North Hide).

  Also recorded today were 1 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine, 2 Chiffchaff and 36 Redwing.

Gadwalls chasing a female, 24th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Curlew, 24th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Lesser Black Backed Gull, 24th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Long-tailed Tit, 24th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Chiffchaff, 24th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts

Greater Spotted Woodpecker, 24th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
Siskin, 24th March 2026
Photo - Mike Watts
March 23rd. Another cloudy day but much warmer in a light southerly which switched around to a northerly by dusk.

  On the water bodies were 39 Shelduck, 11 Little Grebe, 20 Avocet, 33 Curlew and 14 Black-tailed Godwit. Elsewhere on the sea was 1 Red-breasted Merganser and a Hen Harrier was over the New Saltmarsh. 110 Jackdaw were around the Plantation. A Brambling was around the reserve entrance and 3 Siskin were around Beach Car Park. Two Red Legged Partridge were on Field 10.

Avocets roosting on Tennyson's Sands, 23rd March 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
Avocets, 23rd March 2026
Photo - David Nutt
Mute Swans, 23rd March 2026
Photo - David Nutt
Drake Tufted Duck, 23rd March 2026
Photo - David Nutt
Red-legged Partridge on Field 10 (A reserve scarcity), 23rd March 2026
Photo - Stuart Ainsworth
March 22nd. A cloudy day staying cold throughout with just a hint of a southerly wind.

  Highlight of the day was the Shorelark which was still in its usual spot on the foreshore saltings at the North End. The 2 White-fronted Geese were on Tennyson's Sands again from North Hide.

 On the sea were 10 Common Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Eider, a Great Crested Grebe and 1 Red-throated Diver. The morning high tide pushed up 2910 Oystercatcher, 3500 Grey Plover, 26 Ringed Plover, 63 Curlew, 11 Turnstone, 13000 Knot, 200 Sanderling, 600 Dunlin, 134 Redshank and a hunting Peregrine.

  Tennyson's Sands held 20 Avocet and 10 Black-tailed Godwits. Also about were 1 Snipe, 1 Short-eared Owl (Around Visitor Centre), 2 Buzzard, 1 Merlin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Stonechat, 5 Redwing, 58 Meadow Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 62 Chaffinch (South), 138 Siskin (South) and 8 Corn Buntings.

Shorelark, 22nd March 2026
Photo - Rob Watson
Two White-fronted Geese on Tennyson's Sands, 22nd March 2026
Photo - Jack Hood

Circling Buzzard over Croft Marsh, 22nd March 2026
Photo - Jack Hood
March 21st. A cloudy cold start to the day with sun coming through later on and a southerly breeze becoming easterly later on.

  Highlights of the day was the first Swallow of the year seen briefly at the Visitor Centre at 9am. Also there were 2 White-fronted Geese on Tennyson's Sands. A Raven went low north over Croft Marsh. A Cetti's Warbler was singing around Mill Hill again. Going South were 2 Red Kite, 2 Buzzards, 2 Red-throated Divers, a Snipe and 20 Chaffinch, 17 Siskin. A Merlin was hunting on the beach where there were 17 Turnstone also.

  On the water bodies around the reserve were 44 Shelduck, 120 Shoveler, 14 Gadwall, 300 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 42 Tufted Duck,14 Little Grebe, 23 Avocet, 37 Curlew, 21 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Cetti's Warbler (Tennyson's Sands).

  Also about were 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Redwing, 400 Starlings and a further 4 Buzzards.

White-fronted Goose on Tennyson's Sands, 21st March 2026
Photo - Nige Lound
Teal, 21st March 2026
Photo - David Nutt
Grey Heron, 21st March 2026
Photo - David Nutt
Little Grebe nearly caught on camera flying! 21st March 2026
Photo - David Nutt
Buzzard, 21st March 2026
Photo - Tom Baker
An over wintered Comma Butterfly on the Cycle Track in the sun, 21st March 2026
Photo - David Nutt

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