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 139–161 of 201 species
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritimaLC
A rare passage visitor, very occasionally recorded in November. This rocky-shore specialist is a notable find at an inland site like Rutland Water.
Nov
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostraLC
A rare passage visitor in late summer and autumn, appearing during irruptive movements in search of conifer seeds.
Jul–Oct
Red Kite
Milvus milvusLC
A conservation success story, now commonly soaring over Rutland's farmland and villages year-round following reintroduction in the area.
Year-round
Red Knot
Calidris canutusNT
A rare visitor to Rutland Water, occasionally seen on muddy shores from late summer through to winter.
May–Dec
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurioLC
A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally recorded in September. Once bred in England but now a scarce migrant through sites like Rutland Water.
Sep
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serratorLC
A rare non-breeding visitor to Rutland Water from autumn through spring. This slim, serrated-billed diver favours open water.
Oct–Apr
Red-crested Pochard
Netta rufinaLC
An uncommon but increasing resident, breeding at Rutland Water. The male's striking orange head makes it easy to pick out among other diving ducks.
Year-round
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufaNT
An uncommon resident of Rutland's arable fields and open grassland. This introduced gamebird favours drier, stony ground.
Year-round
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Red-necked Grebe
Podiceps grisegenaLC
An uncommon but regular presence on Rutland Water, most often seen in winter plumage on the open reservoir outside summer.
Aug–May
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatusLC
A rare passage migrant, occasionally dropping in at Rutland Water's lagoons in May, June, or August. A prized find for local birders.
May–Aug
Red-throated Loon
Gavia stellataLC
A rare passage visitor appearing on Rutland Water between October and December, usually seen briefly before moving on.
Oct–Dec
Redshank
Tringa totanusLC
A common resident wader, breeding on wet grassland and wintering around Rutland Water's shores. Its piping alarm call is a familiar waterside sound.
Year-round
Redwing
Turdus iliacusNT
A common winter visitor from Scandinavia, present from October to April. Feeds on berries in hedgerows and often joins mixed thrush flocks on farmland.
Oct–Apr
Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclusLC
A common resident found year-round in reedbeds and wetland margins, particularly around Rutland Water's extensive reserves.
Year-round
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensisLC
A rare North American gull occasionally recorded at Rutland Water in April, typically found among flocks of common gulls.
Apr
Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticulaLC
A common wader on Rutland Water's shorelines from February to November, favouring muddy and gravelly margins.
Feb–Nov
Rock Dove
Columba liviaLC
Feral populations are uncommon residents around Rutland's towns and farm buildings throughout the year.
Year-round
Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant in September and October, an unusual inland record for this typically coastal species around Rutland Water.
Sep–Oct
Rook
Corvus frugilegusLC
A common and sociable resident, with noisy rookeries in tall trees a familiar feature of Rutland's villages and farmland.
Year-round
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensisLC
An uncommon resident, now much reduced following national eradication efforts. Occasionally still seen on Rutland Water.
Year-round
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferrugineaLC
A rare visitor recorded mainly in summer and autumn, most likely involving feral or escaped birds rather than genuine wild vagrants.
Jun–Nov
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpresLC
A rare inland visitor, occasionally turning up on the stony shores of Rutland Water between spring and early autumn. Primarily a coastal species.
Feb–Sep
Ruff
Philomachus pugnaxLC
An uncommon resident, found on muddy lagoons and shallow pools at Rutland Water. Males in breeding plumage with elaborate ruffs are an exceptional sight.
Year-round