East Midlands · Rutland
Rutland Water
Reservoir with a thriving osprey population — the species was translocated here from Scotland in 1996 and now breeds in numbers. Lyndon Reserve hosts the breeding pair; Egleton has hides for waders + winter wildfowl.
Region
East Midlands
Habitat
Reservoir, reedbed, woodland
Best months
April – September (osprey)
Famous for
Osprey, Wader passage, Wildfowl
What you'll see
Ospreys arrive late March, breed at the dedicated nest with live cameras at Lyndon Visitor Centre, and depart late August. Egleton (the larger reserve) covers wetlands + reedbed for wader passage, breeding waders, and winter wildfowl in big numbers. Common terns + hobbies in summer.
Annual British Birdfair (now Global Birdfair) was held here for decades — the global birding community knows the place well. Annual osprey events, family activities.
How to visit
Pay & display at both reserves. Lyndon Visitor Centre has live osprey nest cameras + a small café. Egleton has more extensive trails + hides. Bike hire on-site (it's a 25-mile cycle around the whole reservoir).
Top species
- Osprey (Apr-Aug, breeding)
- Wader passage (Aug-Sep)
- Wildfowl (Nov-Mar)
- Common Tern, Hobby (summer)
- Goldeneye, Goosander (winter)