Wild places

Designated a Local Wildlife Site in 2011, the County Golf Club verge stretches for approximately 2 kilometers on the eastern side of the A1 road. The main habitats are calcareous grassland and mixed grassland, and the lower 1000 metres or so (towards Grantham Lane) is reported to have a good range of limestone flora.

The Dam lies at the eastern end of Rutland Water. Constructed in the early 1970's it is flanked at the northern end by a large car park and Visitor Centre.  It is armoured with large stone blocks to protect the dam from wave action with grassy slopes behind. Several rare and unusual bird species have been recorded here especially during winter months. On sunny days visiting early in the day is recommended for the best lighting conditions, whilst a scope is very useful to view distant birds on the reservoir.

Barnhill Creek is a small inlet at the eastern end of the Hambleton Peninsula. It offers good views eastwards across the reservoir towards the limnological tower and the dam. A scope is useful for searching the reservoir for birds, and on sunny days the best light occurs late in the day.

Barnsdale offers good views of the North Arm of the reservoir and across to the Hambleton Peninsula. A scope is essential as most birds have to be viewed at a distance, on sunny days the best lighting is likely to be in the mornings. From Barnsdale the cycle track westwards towards Egleton gives good close-up views of the numerous common wildfowl species that congregate between autumn and spring around Lodge Inlet [SK898 092] and Burley Reach [SK892090].

Burley Fishponds occupy an inlet formed where several small streams enter the North Arm of Rutland Water. The upper reaches of the inlet are heavily overgrown with willow but towards the eastern end good views of wildfowl species can be obtained from the private road on the southern side. 

Home to breeding ospreys, Egleton Reserve is one of the best known birdwatching locations in the UK. A plethora of hides, many with disabled access, overlook a series of enclosed shallow lagoons at the western end of Rutland Water. The Birdwatching Centre with its educational facilities are located at Egleton whilst a new Volunteer Training Centre lies off the road to Hambleton Peninsula (no public access). The reserve has been extensively studied and many interesting plants and insects have been recorded. Dogs are not allowed on the reserve.

Fishermens Car Park is located off the road from Oakham onto the Hambleton Peninsula and offers extensive views of the North Arm of Rutland Water looking across towards Barnsdale. In winter many rare species of birds have been observed from this point and on sunny days the north facing views are well lit. A scope is essential for viewing at this locality as most birds are viewed at a distance.

Panoramic views of the South Arm of Rutland Water are available from the promontory at Old Hall, Hambleton. Between autumn to spring many rare bird species have been recorded from this site. A scope is essential as most birds are viewed at some distance. On sunny days lighting is best in the mornings.

The Lyndon Reserve occurs along the southern shore of Rutland Water overlooking a reservoir sector referred to as South Arm 2 and also Manton Bay. A series of hides are available some with disabled access. Dogs on short-leads are allowed on the Reserve. The Visitor Centre is open daily from April to September and the principal attraction in spring-summer months are the breeding ospreys.

Manton Bridge on the A6003 Oakham to Uppingham road offers views eastwards along Manton Bay at the point where the River Gwash enters the reservoir. Distant views of the osprey breeding platform (usually occupied April-September) are available although these are becoming somewhat restricted by vegetation. A scope is useful for viewing birds within Manton Bay.

Whitwell is home to a large car park, watersports centre and restaurant on the north shore of Rutland Water.  Boat trips are available in summer months from Whitwell Creek. In winter rare bird species including divers and grebes have been recorded from this sheltered inlet.

This reservoir was originally built to supply the nearby Grand Union Canal and a feeder channel runs between the two. A footpath runs between the channel and a small stream, giving access to the channel and several damp, marshy areas. The reservoir and area around it is particularly good for dragonflies as well as birds.

This 6 acre site is run by an urban oasis offering nature and food themed workshops and activities for the local community. Formerly farmland then an allotment site, it was abandoned until turned into the community asset it is now. A pre-Victorian field pond has been restored and is now a rich wildlife habitat, a wildflower meadow has been created and there are several areas of trees and hedges, as well as an orchard.

Saltersford Valley is a 7 ha site in the Heart of the National Forest which has open water areas known as ‘flashes’. These result from mining subsidence that causes the Saltersford Brook to flood. There are sites planted with new native woodland and open areas managed as grassland, which feature wild flowers. The site was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 2004.

This verge is being managed to improve biodiversity as part of the County Council/Parish Council verges biodiversity trial. It was surveyed in 2021 by NatureSpot volunteers but we would welcome additional wildlife records from the community, whether plants, animals or fungi.

The small village of Seaton is set on the side of a hill overlooking the Welland valley. The All Hallows church dates to Norman times and is one of the longest in Rutland.  The churchyard is reasonably large with common churchyard flora.

Seaton Meadows is a Plantlife nature reserve and consists of two meadows, with the Welland Railway Viaduct (21 metres above) bisecting the two. The reserve was bought by Plantlife in 1996, and the site possibly dates from medieval times. Around 16 acres of the reserve is flood meadow. From December to July, the two fields are left ungrazed to produce a hay crop of grasses and herbs. This also helps the rich flora of the site and produces good breeding conditions for birds like Snipe. Around late July, the hay is cut, helping distribute seeds of the meadow plants.

This 60-hectare site is a former open-cast coal mine, which has been transformed with extensive tree planting and the creation of lakes, interlinked with a series of paths. There are good facilities for disabled visitors. At the centre of the site are a series of small lakes, some managed for wildlife and some for fishing. A hide overlooks one of the lakes. Large areas of conifers and mixed deciduous trees have been planted so this habitat should improve over time.