Description
Rutland Water Nature Reserve is one of the UK’s best places to enjoy birds and wildlife. It’s an internationally recognised nature reserve and wetland of global importance. With beautiful walking trails and two visitor centres, it’s perfect for a family day out all year round.
The reserve features 1,000 acres of wild habitat and 35 bird hides to explore. You can see rare birds like ospreys, sand martins, and thousands of wetland species in different seasons. Fun experiences like the Osprey Cruises let you watch birds diving for fish and learn about local conservation.
Rutland Water offers a peaceful and educational experience for all nature lovers. It’s ideal for birdwatchers, walkers, or families looking to connect with wildlife. A must-visit for anyone who wants to explore one of England’s richest nature spots in a fun and accessible way.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
In 2022, 11 breeding pairs of Osprey successfully reared a total of 22 chicks. A total of 5,598 birds belonging to 51 different species were processed by the ringing group. Additionally, 25 species of butterfly were recorded during the year. Among moths, 14,070 individuals were caught, identified, and released, representing 468 different species. The monitoring team also recorded 572 species of beetle over seven survey days.
Sand Martins were closely monitored, with 1,068 individuals ringed in the artificial nesting banks. Bat surveys revealed that 159 bats were recorded in bat boxes across the woodlands. Bird counts during the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) included 2,030 Gadwall, and an impressive 124,016 wetland birds were counted in total through the monthly WeBS counts. Furthermore, during a roost survey, 75 Great White Egrets and 142 Little Egrets were recorded. Lastly, 52,666 gulls were counted in a winter roost count.
Rutland Osprey Project: Rutland Water is home to the Rutland Osprey Project. You can watch them at their nest site on Lyndon Nature Reserve, soaring majestically over the lagoons or diving to catch fish on an exclusive Osprey Cruise. Find out how this once endangered bird of prey has found a home in Rutland Water and see them yourself. Find out more here.
28.15 miles
