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 1–23 of 201 species
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominicaLC
A rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally recorded at Rutland Water in October and November among golden plover flocks.
Oct–Nov
Arctic Loon
Gavia arcticaLC
A rare midwinter visitor to Rutland Water, occasionally lingering on the open reservoir in December through February.
Dec–Feb
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaeaLC
An uncommon breeder at Rutland Water, present from April to September. Often seen plunge-diving over the reservoir's open water.
Apr–Sep
Avocet
Recurvirostra avosettaLC
An uncommon but increasing visitor to Rutland Water's lagoons, present most months and occasionally breeding.
Nov–Sep
Baird's Sandpiper
Calidris bairdiiLC
A rare Nearctic wader occasionally turning up at Rutland Water's muddy margins during autumn passage in September and October.
Sep–Oct
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponicaNT
An uncommon passage migrant at Rutland Water in April–May and September–October, pausing on muddy lagoon edges.
Apr–Oct
Barn Owl
Tyto albaLC
An uncommon but cherished resident, ghosting over Rutland's farmland at dusk. Nest box schemes have helped support the local population.
Year-round
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rusticaLC
A common summer visitor from March to November, nesting in barns and outbuildings across Rutland's farmland. Often gathers in large flocks before migration.
Mar–Nov
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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 Redstart
Phoenicurus ochrurosLC
A rare passage visitor in late winter, occasionally turning up around buildings and rocky outcrops in February and March.
Feb–Mar
Black Swan
Cygnus atratusLC
A very rare visitor, with occasional September records almost certainly involving escapees from ornamental collections.
Sep
Black Tern
Chlidonias nigerLC
Breeds in small numbers at Rutland Water from April to September, favouring the lagoons and shallow bays of the reservoir.
Apr–Sep
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollisLC
A scarce non-breeding visitor to Rutland Water's sheltered bays, present mainly in winter and during passage periods.
Aug–Apr
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosaNT
An uncommon resident, often seen on the muddy lagoons at Rutland Water. Rutland is an important inland site for this nationally scarce wader.
Year-round
Blackbird
Turdus merulaLC
A common and familiar resident of gardens, parks and woodland throughout Rutland, often seen turning leaf litter on lawns year-round.
Year-round
Blackcap
Sylvia atricapillaLC
A common year-round resident, with numbers boosted by continental migrants in winter. Its rich, fluty song rings through Rutland's woods and gardens.
Year-round
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusLC
One of Rutland's most familiar garden birds, present year-round. A regular visitor to feeders and a keen user of nest boxes in gardens and woodland.
Year-round
Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphiaLC
An exceptionally rare Nearctic gull, with April records at Rutland Water making any sighting a prized find for local birders.
Apr
Brambling
Fringilla montifringillaLC
An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, joining Chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland stubble from October to April.
Oct–Apr
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
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC
A common but unobtrusive resident of hedgerows and woodland edges year-round, often betrayed by its soft, piping call before being seen.
Year-round
Buzzard
Buteo buteoLC
A common resident often seen soaring over Rutland's rolling farmland and woodland edges throughout the year.
Year-round
Canada Goose
Branta canadensisLC
A common year-round resident, breeding prolifically around Rutland Water and grazing on adjacent grasslands in sizeable flocks.
Year-round