rutland water nature reserve (anglian water bird watching centre)

We visited as a couple, one a complete beginner of bird watching and the other more advanced. As a beginner I was happy to look at the waterfowl I recognised whereas my husband was looking for a few more birds for his spotted list which he achieved.The charge for the passes also covered the car parking fee which seemed reasonable. We spent about four hours walking between bird hides and watching the birds at their daily business. I do think that we will return sometime later this year when the osprey is in residence.There is a coffee machine which was very welcome and the loos were very clean, always good to know.

Arrived early,the carpark is close to the center but the loos in the carpark are closed,good ones in the center.We started by sitting up in the veiwing deck overlooking the lagoon with a good selection of waterfowl spotted.Coffee available via machine in the center and you are allowed to consume food and drink in the upper veiwing deck,good veiwing windows on the ground floor for those of us unable to manage the stairs.Visited a number of hides all of which are roomy and as comfy as you would expect a hide to be with room for wheelchairs but the seating is fixed in place and the windows could be heavy for some.Good id boards on the walls.The distance betweeen each hide is clearly shown on well placed signposts.All paths are easily accesable and firm to walk on but a couple of muddy patches can be found round by the cattle field,this could be a problem to wheelchairs.In the center a good shop can be found with an In Focus outlet for binoculars and scopes with a very helpful and informative assistant on hand.To sum up we had a fantastic time,will return and I reccomend this place to all birdwatchers no matter what your level of knowledgeThe volunteers on front desk duty are freindly,helpful and informative and they will direct you to the best hides for your required sightings

A fabulous place to see water birds and a lovely place to visit. We went for a walk all around Rutland water and it was so peaceful and lovely. We will definitely be back!

We are novices with all this bird spotting stuff! We turned up on a v wet day, lovely lady was so patient with us and gave us good advice.We loved the hides and pics inside helped us. We will def return in better weather

We were lucky enough to visit on a bright sunny day in December, though cold and windy. We were there on a Monday and the reserve was very quiet - great, hardly any one else in the good and numerous hides. The helpful, friendly woman who greeted us told us most birds were to the north so we followed the pretty path, alongside meadows and woodland. The birds didn't disappoint - teal, shoveler, pintail, pochard, shell duck, tufted duck, gadwell in reasonable numbers, to name but some, as well as a few waders - redshank, godwit, and curlew and snipe in nearby grass. Woodland birds too, including a couple of bull finches. The reserve is really beautiful - unexpected. Lovely landscapes all around, tree tops hills, islands for resting birds, water inlets among reeds. A fabulous day.

Helpful staff we spent a day here and felt as if we were in the middle of nowhere it was so peaceful we visited to hides and saw nobody in any of them as it was midweek but saw and identified 41 species and we are not experts!

Stunning scenery- would like to visit in the summer. Even in November several people were out sailing.

Have spent many hours here - I'm lucky enough to live on the doorstep - birdwatching, walking, cycling and indulging the enthusiastic amateur photographer in me. The volunteer staff are excellent - very knowledgable and helpful and the hides are well appointed and well kept. The ospreys steal the show by the water in spring and summer but there is so much more around the reservoir and away from it - the wide variety of habitats means that there is always something of interest, whatever the weather or the season...

Helpful staff at the bird centre , and informative about recent sitings of Osprey . Hides also available for public use , and several excellent bike trails around the waters .

Spent 4 hours here and only managed to visit about half of the hides. Saw birds we haven't seen before. Very well set up. Shame there isn't a café. Very knowledgeable volunteers.

Excellent in spring and summer when the ospreys are in residence but full of interest all year round. We were lucky to see a great white egret and a kingfisher on our recent visit.

Loved the space and viewing options Well run and plenty of information if you are into bird watching or even if you're not it's an enjoyable visist

Visited during the BBWF Birdfair this month great location and excellent area for viewing with both binoculars and spotting scopes has the shop area and optics shop of In Focus. Cafe was ok.

Wonderful views, good birding facilities and pleasant visitor centre. Made for a very enjoyable afternoon

World's largest bird watching fair set on a picturesque nature reserve at the Anglain Water Bird Watching Centre.