Waddle On The Wild Side

Each year thousands of birds (and birders) ock to Rutland Water, the host of Birdfair. Since their creation a decade ago, lagoons and sandbanks around the reservoir have made it the ‘Minsmere of the Midlands’.

- Joe Davis

Rutland Water is the largest reservoir in England and its surface area covers over 10km. It is man-made and provides drinking water, via Anglian Water, to the East Midlands. The reservoir has a very wide appeal. As well as being popular for many types of recreation, such as fishing and sailing, it’s very important for an amazing array of wildlife – in particular, wintering wildfowl. The number of birds that Rutland Water attracts means it’s protected by law. In winter the site can hold over 30,000 wildfowl and an internationally important number of ducks – including six percent of the UK’s overwintering population of gadwall and 4.9 percent of shovelers.

Banking on success