PICTURE GALLERY
Waders
Ruff are becoming fairly common passage and winter visitors at Rutland Water. The maximum number recorded was 73 in 1994.These were pictured at Gadwall and Heron hides on 26 March 2002.
Snipe are fairly common autumn migrants and winter visitors. Improving habitat has resulted in increasing numbers of this species being recorded on the reserve. These were photographed by Matthew Berriman at Shoveler Hide on 26 Febrauary 2003 and Philip Tew at Harrier Hide on 31 December.
Jack Snipe are regularly present during the winter, though they are notoriously difficult to see. They are about 2/3 the size of the Snipe witha much smaller bill. This picture by Matthew Berriman shows two other distinctive features - the split supercilium (line above the eye) and the bold yellow stripes on the back. It was seen in Manton Bay on 3 October 2003.
Black-tailed Godwits are increasingly common passage migrants. The main spring passage occurs in April and May when single numbers are the norm. Autumn passage begins in the last week of June and often results in double figures being seen in July and August. These birds, in summer plumage wer pictured on 21 July and 1 September 2002 by Matthew Berriman.
Bar-tailed Godwits are passage migrants at Rutland Water, with far more being seen in the spring than in the autumn. Some, like the one above, are in pristine summer plumage as they pass through in April and May. The picture below, taken in September 2002, shows the typical plumage in autumn.
Pictures: Matthew Berriman
Whimbrel are uncommon passage migrants with small numbers being seen on their way north in April and May and then again in July and August as they head south.
Picture: Matthew Berriman, 29 April 2003
Curlew are fairly uncommon passage migrants at Rutland Water and are quite scarce in winter. They are most frequently recorded on autumn passge from mid-June onwards. This picture, taken by Matthew Berriman on Lagoon III on 15 October 2003, clearly shows the very long down-curved bill.
Spotted Redshank are passage migrants that are rare in sping and uncommon in autumn. Matthew Berriman took these pictures of (above) a juvenile in Dickenson's Bay in early August 2003 and (below) an adult bird in winter plumage, from Manton Bridge in 2002.
Redshank are seen around the reserve throughout the year and a few pairs usually breed, particularly around Lagoon I. They can best be seen from Mallard, Tern and Fieldfare hides
Picture: Philip Tew
Picture: Tim Caldicott
Greenshank are becoming increasingly common migrant visitors to Rutland Water, particularly in autumn. This one was pictured on 28/8/01 at Lapwing hide by Tim Caldicott. Key identification features are the grey-green legs and slightly upturned bill.