Birds in Rutland
Explore 201 species found in this region.
Rutland, England's smallest county, punches well above its weight when it comes to birdlife, with 192 species recorded across its diverse habitats. The centrepiece is Rutland Water, one of the largest reservoirs in Europe and a nationally important site for wildfowl and wading birds, attracting species such as Northern Pintail, Common Shelduck, and Pink-footed Goose. From the woodlands sheltering Eurasian Woodcock and Great Tit to the open farmland favoured by Northern Lapwing, Rutland offers exceptional birding opportunities year-round.
Visiting in April? Look out for Arctic Tern and Bar-tailed Godwit arriving this month, and Black Redstart and Brent Goose depart for the season.
Showing 24–46 of 201 species
Carrion Crow
Corvus coroneLC
A common and adaptable resident found across farmland, villages and the Rutland Water reserve. Frequently seen foraging in pairs or family groups.
Year-round
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibisLC
A rare but increasing breeder, part of this species' recent colonisation of England, favouring pastures near Rutland Water.
Mar–Nov
Cetti's Warbler
Cettia cettiLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, skulking in dense waterside vegetation around Rutland Water. Far more often heard than seen, with an explosive song.
Year-round
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsLC
A common resident throughout the year, found in woodlands, hedgerows and gardens across Rutland, with numbers boosted by continental birds in winter.
Year-round
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaLC
Present year-round, its repetitive two-note song is one of the earliest signs of spring in Rutland's woodlands and hedgerows.
Year-round
Coal Tit
Periparus aterLC
A common resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, readily visiting garden feeders. Its distinctive 'teacher-teacher' call is easily recognised.
Year-round
Common Gull
Larus canusLC
A common resident, present year-round at Rutland Water and surrounding farmland. Numbers increase in winter when birds from northern Europe arrive.
Year-round
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident along Rutland's streams and the reservoir margins, a flash of electric blue over water.
Year-round
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Common Loon
Gavia immerLC
An uncommon visitor to Rutland Water, mainly present in winter and early spring, favouring deeper open water.
Aug–May
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 Pheasant
Phasianus colchicusLC
A common resident across Rutland's farmland, woodland edges, and hedgerows. Numbers are bolstered by annual releases.
Year-round
Common Raven
Corvus coraxLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, now regularly seen over Rutland's countryside. Its deep cronking call and acrobatic flight are distinctive.
Year-round
Common Redpoll
Acanthis flammeaLC
An uncommon resident found in birch and alder woodland, present most of the year with a gap in summer when dispersed to breeding sites.
Sep–May
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurusLC
A rare spring passage migrant in April and May, occasionally pausing in hedgerows and woodland edges on its way to western and northern breeding grounds.
Apr–May
Common Reed-warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceusLC
A common summer breeder in reedbeds around Rutland Water, present from April to October. Its repetitive, chattering song emanates from dense reed stands.
Apr–Oct
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucosLC
A common summer visitor from April to October, bobbing along Rutland Water's rocky shores and dam walls.
Apr–Oct
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
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinagoLC
Resident throughout the year, frequenting wet grassland and marshy areas. Its distinctive 'drumming' display flight can be heard over Rutland's meadows in spring.
Year-round
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgarisLC
A common resident, though nationally declining. Winter flocks gather in spectacular murmurations, sometimes seen near Rutland Water at dusk.
Year-round
Common Swift
Apus apusLC
A common summer breeder screaming over Rutland's towns from April to September, nesting in older buildings.
Apr–Sep
Common Tern
Sterna hirundoLC
A common breeding visitor from April to October, nesting on specially provided rafts at Rutland Water. A graceful sight diving for fish across the reservoir.
Apr–Oct
Coot
Fulica atraLC
Abundant year-round on Rutland Water, forming large flocks in winter. Easily seen from hides around the reservoir.
Year-round