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 185–201 of 201 species
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticusLC
An uncommon but year-round resident of Rutland Water's reedbeds and marshy margins. More often heard squealing than seen.
Year-round
Western Marsh-harrier
Circus aeruginosusLC
Present all year around Rutland Water's extensive reedbeds, quartering low over marshes with distinctive V-shaped wing profile.
Year-round
Wheatear
Oenanthe oenantheLC
A rare visitor seen on passage in spring and autumn, favouring open ploughed fields and short grassland across Rutland's farmland.
Mar–Oct
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopusLC
An uncommon passage visitor, seen at Rutland Water mainly in spring and late summer with its distinctive seven-note whistle.
Apr–Nov
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraLC
A rare breeding visitor favouring rough grassland and scrubby margins, present from late spring through to September around Rutland Water's meadows.
Apr–Sep
White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollisVU
Rare American vagrant recorded at Rutland Water's shoreline scrapes, most likely in August or October during autumn passage.
Aug–Oct
White-winged Tern
Chlidonias leucopterusLC
A rare passage migrant, very occasionally seen hawking over Rutland Water's lagoons in May or August. A striking marsh tern and a prized sighting.
May–Aug
Whitethroat
Curruca communisLC
A common summer breeder from April to September, singing from hedgerows and scrubby field margins. Its scratchy song and white throat are distinctive.
Apr–Sep
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Whooper Swan
Cygnus cygnusLC
A rare but regular winter visitor to Rutland Water, sometimes lingering into spring. Listen for its bugling calls across the reservoir.
Sep–May
Willow Tit
Poecile montanusLC
A rare and declining resident, clinging on in damp woodland with standing deadwood. One of the UK's fastest-declining species.
Year-round
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusLC
A common summer breeder from March to September, favouring scrubby woodland edges and young plantations. Its sweet, descending song is a hallmark of spring.
Mar–Sep
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareolaLC
An uncommon but regular passage wader at Rutland Water's lagoons, mainly in spring and late summer.
Apr–Oct
Woodpigeon
Columba palumbusLC
An abundant resident seen in gardens, woodlands, and farmland year-round, with large winter flocks on arable fields.
Year-round
Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flavaLC
A common summer breeder from April to September, nesting in arable fields and wet meadows around Rutland Water, though declining nationally.
Apr–Sep
Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatusLC
A rare autumn passage migrant from Siberia, occasionally turning up in October in scrub and trees around Rutland Water.
Oct
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellisLC
An uncommon but year-round resident, best picked out among gull flocks at Rutland Water by its bright yellow legs.
Year-round
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinellaLC
A common resident of Rutland's hedgerows and arable margins, its bright song a familiar sound along country lanes.
Year-round