Ducks, Geese & Swans in Rutland
32 species matching this filter.
Rutland, England's smallest county, punches well above its weight when it comes to wildfowl diversity, with 32 species of ducks, geese and swans recorded in the area. Rutland Water, one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe, serves as a nationally important reservoir and nature reserve that attracts vast numbers of wintering and breeding wildfowl. Notable species include Mandarin Duck, Goldeneye, and Barnacle Goose, alongside less common visitors such as Black Swan and Egyptian Goose.
Showing 1–23 of 32 species
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsisLC
An uncommon year-round resident, with sightings likely involving feral birds. Small numbers mix with other geese at Rutland Water.
Year-round
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A very rare visitor, with occasional September records almost certainly involving escapees from ornamental collections.
Sep
Brent Goose
Branta berniclaLC
A rare passage visitor, occasionally recorded at Rutland Water in autumn and late winter — unusual this far inland from its coastal haunts.
Oct–Mar
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common year-round resident, breeding prolifically around Rutland Water and grazing on adjacent grasslands in sizeable flocks.
Year-round
Common Merganser
Mergus merganserLC
A common non-breeding visitor to Rutland Water from autumn to spring. Often seen in small parties fishing on open water.
Sep–Apr
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigraLC
A rare year-round presence on Rutland Water, though primarily a coastal species. Small numbers pass through on migration.
Year-round
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadornaLC
Present year-round at Rutland Water, breeding on the reserve's lagoons and muddy fringes — an unusually reliable inland population.
Year-round
Egyptian Goose
Alopochen aegyptiacaLC
An established resident breeding around Rutland Water, now commonly seen year-round as part of the expanding feral population in the East Midlands.
Year-round
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Eurasian Wigeon
Mareca penelopeLC
Common across Rutland Water's grasslands and shallows, with large wintering flocks and a small number lingering through summer.
Year-round
Gadwall
Mareca streperaLC
A common resident at Rutland Water, thriving on the reservoir's shallow lagoons. Numbers bolstered in winter by continental arrivals.
Year-round
Garganey
Spatula querquedulaLC
An uncommon summer breeder, arriving in April and favouring shallow pools and marshy edges at Rutland Water. A scarce and declining species nationally.
Apr–Oct
Goldeneye
Bucephala clangulaLC
A common sight on Rutland Water year-round, with numbers peaking in winter. Males are striking with their glossy green heads.
Year-round
Greater Scaup
Aythya marilaLC
An uncommon diving duck on Rutland Water, most often seen in winter months among flocks of other Aythya species.
Jul–May
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifronsLC
A rare winter visitor, occasionally turning up among other goose flocks at Rutland Water between November and March.
Nov–May
Greylag Goose
Anser anserLC
A common resident around Rutland Water and surrounding farmland, often grazing in large flocks on waterside meadows throughout the year.
Year-round
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalisVU
A rare winter visitor to Rutland Water, present from November to April. This elegant sea duck is always a notable inland find.
Nov–Apr
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchosLC
The most familiar duck in Rutland, abundant year-round on the reservoir, rivers, farm ponds, and even village streams.
Year-round
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulataLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, favouring wooded streams and sheltered bays. The ornate males are a striking sight in winter plumage.
Year-round
Mute Swan
Cygnus olorLC
A familiar and elegant resident of Rutland Water and local rivers, nesting along sheltered bays and often seen with cygnets in summer.
Year-round
Northern Pintail
Anas acutaLC
Present year-round but most numerous in winter, when elegant flocks gather on Rutland Water's open shallows and muddy margins.
Year-round
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeataLC
Common year-round at Rutland Water, with numbers peaking in winter. Easily spotted sweeping its distinctive spatulate bill through shallow water.
Year-round
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchusLC
A rare visitor, mainly recorded in winter and early spring. Small skeins occasionally pass over or drop in at Rutland Water.
Oct–Jun
Pochard
Aythya ferinaVU
A common resident with large winter rafts on Rutland Water, though nationally declining. One of the reservoir's key wintering wildfowl species.
Year-round