NEW YEARS DAY BIRD RACE 2023

Thanks to everyone who took part in the 2023 New Year’s Day Bird Race event. The total number of birds recorded came in at 139 species, recorded by 75 observers in 60 locations throughout Lincolnshire. The warm weather experienced in the autumn/early winter of 2022 delayed the arrival of many of our winter visitors, which may be a reflection of the lower species count this year. It is fantastic to see more and more people taking part in this event each year (46 participants in 2021, 51 participants in 2022 and 75 participants in 2023!). 

Based on the last three events, it is interesting to note that the number of species recorded in Lincolnshire during winter is consistently around the 140 species mark. The data from the three years gives an average of 143 species. (144 species in 2021 and 146 species in 2022). The map shows which areas were visited on the day…

Highlights of the day came in the form of: Common Crane at Willowtree Fen (the first to be recorded on a New Year’s Day event – 2020-2023) and now appears to be established as a wintering species in Lincolnshire, following successful breeding seasons at Willowtree Fen and in neighbouring Norfolk. A Tundra Bean Goose was found at Gibraltar Point, with another two at RSPB Frampton Marsh. Bewick’s Swan near Messingham, this species continues to dwindle away in Lincolnshire and is becoming ever scarcer. The wintering Great Northern Diver at Covenham Reservoir was the only record of the day. A Common Sandpiper at Cress Marsh was also noteworthy being a rare winter visitor in Lincolnshire.     

Other species of interest on the day included - Water Pipit and European White-fronted Goose at East Halton/Goxhill, Spotted Redshank and Avocet from Alkborough, Velvet Scoter from Sutton-on-sea and Saltfleetby, Scaup and Guillemot at Gibraltar Point, Bittern at Far Ings, Green Sandpiper from three locations, Twite from North Lincs and Corn Bunting from five locations.  

Sea watching was reasonably quiet on the day with no records of Fulmar, Little Gull, Kittiwake or Razorbill, though a Gannet was picked up distantly from Wainfleet RAF Range at high tide. 

Obvious omissions on the day were Long-tailed Duck, Crossbill, Willow Tit and Lapland Bunting. Although missed, these species are all resident in the county in winter but failed to appear on the day. In addition to these species, a few scarce birds were not connected with, in particular the scarce grebes, Black-throated Diver and Smew. The cold weather normally associated with these species no doubt a factor in their absence.  

Owls appeared to be elusive on the day with no records of Little Owl or Long-eared Owl. This is the first time that all five owls did not feature on New Year’s Day. Strong winds on the day might have hampered opportunities to listen for these species. 

Shorelark now appears to be lost in Lincolnshire as a wintering species with no regular sightings now for several years. Willow Tit (though not seen on the day) continue to hold on in small numbers but remain perilously close to extinction.

On the plus side, a few species are expanding in range throughout Lincolnshire such as Great White Egret, Red Kite and Raven with multiple sightings of each on New Year’s Day. 

For amusement purposes a couple of plastics again made the list in the form of a Red-crested Pochard in south Lincs. A special shout out also to the Feral Pigeon.

A full list of the species recorded on the 2023 Bird Race can be found below, alongside comparison data for the same day in 2021 and 2022. 

Text: Richard Doan

Photo: Great Northern Diver at Covenham Reservoir © John Clarkson