Overview
Rutland Water Nature Reserve is an internationally famous nature reserve, managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust in partnership with Anglian Water and provides one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in the UK, with in excess of 25,000 ducks, geese and swans in the winter months.
We have reluctantly had to make this change as water levels at Frampton continue to be low and this situation is compounded by work being carried out by the Environment Agency on the sea wall which limits access to some of the trails and hides; we would not want our visit to give a limited view of what this wonderful reserve can offer. We plan to visit Frampton next spring. We have chosen Rutland as a worthy alternative wetland venue, there were 105 species recorded in September including Lesser Yellowlegs, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, Caspian Gull, Golden Plover, Goldeneye and Pectoral Sandpiper. There are lots of hides, good trails, a number of lagoons and some woodland areas. We will take our mobile coffee shop as the drinks machine in the visitor centre can be a bit slow.
Entry fee: £8.50/adult, £7.50/Concession, £20/Family (This fee includes parking and covers entry to Lyndon Visitor Centre). All Wildlife Trust members receive a 10% discount on daily permits. Buy a permit in the Visitor Centre where toilets, snacks and drinks are available, please note you have to put the parking permit in your car. Packed lunch suggested.
We plan an optional extension to Eyebrook Reservoir after Rutland. More details of this will be on the website shortly and included in a reminder email.
We realise that this is a late change and if you have any queries on the location, directions or anything else do phone me or Peter on 07771 754370 / 07771 990635,
Birding Site(s)
Meeting Location
Meet in the main car park at 9.00am.
Address: Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre, Egleton, Oakham, LE15 8BT
Coordinates: 52.655763, 0.703342
More information
If you intend to go to Eyebrook after Rutland:
Important Parking Tips
- Park Considerately: Do not block field gateways, private property entrances, or narrow parts of the road, as farm and local traffic require clear access.
- Limited Spaces: Official car park capacity is very limited, so arriving early is recommended on weekends or during peak birdwatching seasons.
Description of Habitat & Facilities
On the Rutland/Leicestershire this is not a formal reserve as such, but a reservoir with a B road running around 1 ½ sides of it. There is a car park (Stoke Dry end) where you can view part of the reservoir , and there are many pull in places as you drive around. This is a good place to spend an hour or so, especially if the weather is not brilliant, as you can birdwatch from the car if you so wish.
Wheelchair users wishing to get out of the car, please take care, this maybe a small country road but it does have its fair share of traffic ! There are no facilities whatsoever. There is a well known gull roost (for winter white gulls, and those Yellow-legged and Caspian lot) and is a bit of a migration hotspot (check out the muddy river inlet where the road crosses over called “bloods dyke”).
