Rutland's Winter Wildlife

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.