Rutland Water NATURE RESERVE

RUTLAND WATER Lyndon Visitor Centre Nature Reserve

RUTLAND WATER Lyndon Visitor Centre Nature Reserve

RUTLAND WATER History

Rutland Water covers an area of 3,100 acres (5 square miles) at high water. By surface area, it is the largest man-made reservoir in Britain. Kielder Water beats it on capacity, as it holds 200 million cubic metres whereas Rutland holds 124 million cubic metres at full capacity.

The reservoir was created in the 1970’s for water storage and supply. It lies in the valley of the River Gwash, formerly two farming valleys. The mid-Gwash valley was chosen because it met the correct criteria – the right shape and geology to support the weight of a dam, sufficient local material to build a dam, a river reasonably near to fill it, and close to new centres of population to minimise pumping costs. The dam was constructed mainly of clay and other materials excavated from the area which was to be flooded. It took 5 years to complete. It is 1.2km long (about a mile), and reaches 800m wide at its foundation.

Before its official opening in May 1977, Rutland Water was known as Empingham reservoir. An emotive campaign by a local student succeeded in changing its name.

RUTLAND WATER Lyndon Visitor Centre Nature Reserve

RUTLAND WATER NATURE RESERVE

Rutland Water Nature Reserve lies at the western end of the reservoir, covering 1,000 acres and 9 miles of shoreline. It consists mainly of shallow lagoons and islands, which were created by using material excavated from the valley. The reserve is a Special Protection Area (SPA), a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Ramsar site, which means it is a wetland of international importance. The land is owned by Anglian Water, but the reserve is managed by the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.

This reserve is unique in that it was declared a nature reserve before it existed. The wildlife potential of the proposed reservoir was recognised as early as 1969.

The reserve is a haven for wintering wildfowl, and this is mainly why it achieved its designations, particularly due to significant populations of Gadwall and Shoveler.

In 1996 the Rutland Osprey Project began, and translocated 75 young ospreys in total from Scotland over seven years (1996-2001, then 2005). The first translocated ospreys returned to the area in 1999, and 2001 saw the first ospreys breeding at Rutland Water. The population has since expanded naturally, and there are eight pairs at Rutland Water now. In additiona, Rutland birds have also spread into Wales.

RUTLAND WATER Lyndon Visitor Centre Nature Reserve

LYNDON VISITOR CENTRE AND NATURE RESERVE

The Lyndon Centre is the best place to see Ospreys on the nature reserve, as a breeding pair nest in Manton Bay. The Centre lies down a narrow track leading from the minor road between Manton and Edith Weston on the south shore of the reservoir – look for the large Osprey sign. The view from the Visitor Centre is spectacular. Orchids bloom right outside and tree sparrows frequent the feeder in front of the windows.

The centre features a live Osprey nest camera as well as fantastic new displays looking at the relationship between weather and wildlife, with specific sections on weather, climate change and phenology. There is also lots of information on the osprey project and the reserve in general and osprey staff will be on hand to give you information about the ospreys and to direct you down to the osprey viewing hides.

The nature trail runs between the shore of the reservoir and the reserve’s traditionally managed hay meadows. There are four hides accessible from the nature trail giving views of the reservoir and the chance to see a range of birds such as osprey, kingfisher, water rail and a wide variety of wildfowl and waders. The hay meadows are full of wild flowers and in the summer they are teeming with butterflies, damselflies and day-flying moths.

RUTLAND WATER Lyndon Visitor Centre Nature Reserve