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Rutland's Winter Wildlife
Tour Code: GBR291A short break centred around Rutland Water Nature Reserve, in search of wintering wildfowl and other birds in England's smallest historical county, and beyond.
£850 (land only)
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Rutland will need no introduction to the many thousands of nature enthusiasts who visit Birdfair every year. It is the smallest of the historical English counties but there is so much more to the area than just Rutland Water. This gentle rolling landscape in the heart of England is largely dominated by Jurassic limestones and this has a significant influence on the habitats and associated species. On this short break, we will explore some of the area’s best nature reserves from our base, close to the north shore of Rutland Water. Tim Appleton, MBE, founder of Birdfair will give a presentation about Rutland Water, as well as guide for a day around the reserves he helped to create.
The reservoir and associated nature reserve, managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, consistently deliver the highest annual bird diversity of any inland UK site and it is possible to amass an enviable list in just a single day. During the winter months, Rutland Water is an internationally important site for wintering wildfowl. Winter counts of ducks, geese and swans can reach up to 25,000! Species such as Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Goldeneye, Shoveler and Teal can be seen in impressive numbers. Add in the chance of seeing scarce residents such as Great Egret, an overwintering Bittern, rare and scarce grebes (Red-necked, Slavonian or Black-necked) and a diver or two (Great Northerns are regular winter visitors and Red-throated and Black-throated have been recorded) and regular, scarce ducks such as Smew and Greater Scaup, and you have an exhilarating experience in the heart of England! If you are really lucky, you may spot one of the regular Otters on one of the lagoons.
- Evening talk and day of guiding by Tim Appleton, MBE, creator of Rutland Water Nature Reserve and founder of Birdfair.
- Witness the thousands of wildfowl at the internationally important wintering site of Rutland Water.
- Visit to RSPB Frampton Marsh where there are thousands of overwintering waders including Knot and Black-tailed Godwits, plus the chance of coastal raptors.
- Led by an expert naturalist guide.
Grading
A
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Accommodation:
A comfortable hotel close to Rutland Water, all rooms have private facilities.
- Food:
Breakfasts and evening meals are included in the holiday, beginning with the evening meal on Day 1 and finishing with breakfast on Day 4. Lunches are not included in the cost of this tour.
Dates & Prices
2024
Tour Leader: Neil Glenn
Neil Glenn is a freelance writer and tour leader. His Best Birdwatching Sites in Norfolk and Yorkshire are critically acclaimed and have become the standard references for those counties. Neil has written articles for many publications including BBC Wildlife, Bird Watching and Birdwatch Magazines. Neil is also Chair of Nottinghamshire Birdwatchers and a proud Patron of the Birding For All Charity. His other obsession is football but we don’t mention Notts County much anymore!
2025
2026
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
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Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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Tour Reports
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
