Any good birding spots in Rutland? Not Rutland Water (3 Viewers)

[James Fennel]

Hi everyone! Recently, I went to RSPB Minsmere, and one of the most successful sites I went to near there on that day was a field outside of the reserve, which gave me Stone-curlew. I was wondering, are there any places like that in Rutland? Not for stone-curlew, but generally, are there any good 'hidden gems' you might call them in rutland, which harbour great birds? Sort of like farmland or grassland or something.

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

The other well-known birding site in the area is Eye-brook Reservoir. It obviously has similar birds to Rutland Water but is cheaper, as you can get good views from public roads. I'm not sure of any good farmland areas, although there are good forest areas in the nearby areas of Northamptonshire e.g. Wakerley Great Wood, Fineshade Wood. They should have a wide selection of woodland birds, although it's a long time since I've visited either. The only Two-barred Crossbill I've ever seen was in Wakerley! For good 'farmland' birding nearby, the Nene Washes would be perhaps be best e.g. Cranes, wildfowl, breeding waders. It's not really a 'hidden gem' though.

 

[Steve Lister]

I always think that the meadows of the Welland valley might repay exploration.
And with the recent revelation of Goshawks in Charnwood maybe the north Rutland woods such as Pickworth and Clipsham might be worth some scrutiny.

 

[James Fennel]

Thanks. Are you sure there arent any good farmland or grassland sites in rutland? What about scrubland sites?