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Overview
Kirkby Gravel Pits is a nature reserve, managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, situated on both sides of the Old River Bain approximately 1.5 km/ 1 mile south of Kirkby on Bain.
The habitat consists of flooded sand and gravel pits whose levels are managed to coincide with the needs of the bird population and their seasonal requirements. The pits have reeds and willows around them along with other vegetation, scrub, and maturing wooded areas. [1]
Birds
Notable Species
A point to consider here might be how the habitat is managed so the 173 species that have been reported to eBird[2] have as near the optimum habitat as possible.
Water levels, in the main pit, are controlled by the means of a tilting weir that has been in place since 2001. In the spring, levels are lowered so that islands are present for nesting birds. Further lowering as summer wears on makes it more suitable to waders and waterfowl. Then in winter, the levels are raised so that vegetation is removed and overgrowth is controlled. Other aspects of the habitat not related to the water, are managed by various means so appropriate conditions are met, as best as can be done, for each time of the year and current species. [1]
Rarities
As of 3 November 2020, no rarities have been noted for this location.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Wigeon, Great Black-backed Gull, Northern Lapwing, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Jackdaw, Common Swift, Bank Swallow, Common Wood Pigeon, Graylag Goose, European Starling, Green-winged Teal, Redwing, Western House Martin, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Chaffinch, Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Gull, Rook, Eurasian Skylark, Fieldfare, House Sparrow
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
History and Use
To do
Areas of Interest
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Nearby Areas of Interest
The following are eBird Hotspots located nearby in Lincolnshire. [2]
Woodhall Spa Airfield – Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve
Kirkby Moor – Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve
Ostler's Plantation- - Forestry Commission owned woodland next to Woodhall Spa
Moor Farm – Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve
Access and Facilities
Situated on the Old River Bain, 1.5 km/0.9 miles south of Kirkby on Bain.
Some of the surrounding pits are private property and are only viewable from the public right-of-way.
Address:
Kirkby Gravel Pit
A153 Kirkby on Bain
Lincolnshire, LN10 6YN, England, UK
Coordinates: 53.13092 N 0.15405 W
Map Reference: TF236609
OS Explorer Map 273 A Lincolnshire Wolds
OS LANDRANGER Map 122 SKEGNESS & HORNCASTLE
Contact Details
To do
References
- Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust – Kirkby Gravel Pits - https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/kirkby-gravel-pits
- eBird – Kirkby Gravel Pits - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1035841
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Kirkby Gravel Pits. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 17 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Kirkby_Gravel_Pits
External Links
Maps
