{"id":14981,"date":"2022-03-18T07:35:58","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T06:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=19345"},"modified":"2022-03-18T13:29:35","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T12:29:35","slug":"day-out-gibraltar-point-national-nature-reserve-lincolnshire","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/day-out-gibraltar-point-national-nature-reserve-lincolnshire\/","title":{"rendered":"Day out: Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By countryfile\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 18 March 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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There is something quintessentially English about Skegness, with its sandy beach and bustling main strip \u2013 a kaleidoscope of neon and flashing lights advertising arcade machines and fairground rides.<\/p>\n

For a spot of tranquillity, head to Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve<\/a>, just 10 minutes\u2019 drive to the south. Covering the next three miles of the Lincolnshire coastline, it protects the unspoilt landscape and its important communities of plants and animals. It also gives visitors many sights and sounds to savour.<\/p>\n

\""Nature\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A viewpoint at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve in Skegness\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
The reserve consists essentially of a pair of almost parallel dune systems separated by saltmarsh, with other habitats including sandy and muddy seashore, sand dunes and freshwater marsh with ponds and lagoons. A network of paths leads visitors around major habitats, keeping disturbance to a minimum.<\/div>\n
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Wildlife at Gibraltar Point<\/h2>\n

Gibraltar Point is an amazing place to visit in June because the wildflowers are in bloom, but it\u2019s also a good place to see foxes, falcons and wading birds. You may spot little terns fishing in the shallow lagoons and hear the songs of skylarks. Facilities include wildlife-viewing platforms, well-graded walking trails, bird hides,\na caf\u00e9 and accessible loos. Here are some go Gibraltar Point\u2019s star species to look out for.<\/p>\n

Avocet<\/h3>\n
\""Avocet"\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Avocets are famous as the emblem of the RSPB\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Overlooking the more recent freshwater lagoons is a great place to see waders, including avocets and redshanks. Famous as the emblem of the RSPB, the avocet has a long up-curved beak that sifts invertebrates from the water. Another striking feature is a pair of long blue legs, which dangle well behind the tail during flight. From August onwards, migrant waders begin to arrive including ruffs, godwits and spoonbills, although just about anything could show up.<\/p>\n