Rutland Water Nature Reserve
Visitor Centre Volunteer Handbook
The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust
Founded in 1956, Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust is the leading wildlife conservation charity working to protect and enhance the wildlife and wild places of Leicestershire and Rutland, and enable nature's recovery locally. We believe Leicestershire and Rutland should be rich in wildlife for the benefit of everyone - with more wildlife, more wild places and more people having a strong connection to nature
We are part of a grassroots movement made up of 46 individual Wildlife Trusts who all believe that we need nature and nature needs us. Each Wildlife Trust is a place-based independent charity with its own legal identity, formed by groups of people getting together and working with others to make a positive difference to wildlife and future generations, starting where they live and work.
Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust manages 35 nature reserves covering over 1,200 hectares of rich, diverse and beautiful habitats From woodland to meadows, wetland to heaths, our nature reserves comprise some of the most important wildlife and geological sites in the counties. As well as containing varied, interesting and even rare wildlife species, our nature reserves are hugely important places for people to visit and enjoy, and appreciate outstanding wildlife
Our Vision
Our vision is of a thriving natural world, with our wildlife and habitats playing a valued role in addressing the climate and ecological emergencies, and people inspired and empowered to take action for nature
Purpose
Our purpose is to bring wildlife back, to empower people to take action for nature and to create a society where nature matters
Approach
We are ambitious in our desire to reverse the declines in nature We need to increase abundance and diversity by restoring and creating habitats at scale
We speak authentically with a bold and confident voice, we commit to tell the truth about the state of nature and be clear about what needs to be done to put it in recovery
Firmly rooted in our local communities, we look after wild places, increasing people’s understanding of, and connection to, the natural world
We look to establish common cause and work in partnership with others to develop new, innovative ways to put nature in recovery We demonstrate what is possible, and inspire, empower, and enable people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities to bring about our vision with us, embracing the diversity of our society to change the natural world for the better
If we get our approach right in Leicestershire and Rutland, and each Wildlife Trust does the same, we will have a collective impact that gets it right nationally and helps address global problems
Strategic Goals
We have set out three strategic goals that we believe need to happen by 2030 in pursuit of our longer-term vision of a thriving natural world These goals are interdependent and highly connected, and reaching our overall goal of nature's recovery will require all three to be achieved.
Goal 1 - Nature in Leicestershire and Rutland is in recovery with abundant, diverse wildlife and natural processes creating wilder land where people and nature thrive
Goal 2 - People in Leicestershire and Rutland are taking action for nature and the climate, resulting in better decision-making for the environment at both the local level and national level
Goal 3 - Nature in Leicestershire and Rutland is playing a central and valued role in helping to address local and global problems
Ospreys face many challenges on migration, so sadly, we won't ever know what happened With plenty of unpaired males in the area, Maya paired up with male 28(10) and did actually lay three eggs. But the nest suffered persistent intrusions from 33(11), and as a result, 28(10) was chased off and 33(11) took over the nest, kicking the eggs out in the process After a while 33(11) and Maya did form a bond, but it was too late in the season for them to breed.
As we see Maya every day on the live webcam, we have come to know her very well as an individual. All Ospreys have unique, distinguishing characteristics, and Maya can easily be identified by the distinct markings on her head and face, in particular the brown cross that is visible on the back of her head.
In 2015, both Maya and 33(11) returned to Manton Bay and bred successfully and have been successfully breeding on the nest each year since As of 2024 Maya has raised 38 chicks, making her one of the most successful breeding Osprey on record.
Wildlife at Rutland Water
Rutland Water Nature Reserve, and the wider reservoir, is an outstanding haven for wildlife in the heart of England. A network of lagoons and wetlands, including the western tips of both the north and south arms of the reservoir, provide a sanctuary for water birds, birds of prey, woodland wildlife and more Several reintroduction programmes have proactively restored otherwise rare wildlife, with both ospreys and water voles being introduced to the area.
The reservoir provides one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in Great Britain, regularly holding in excess of 25,000 ducks, geese and swans in the winter it is heavily protected by law, being a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a European Special Protection Area and internationally recognised as a globally important wetland RAMSAR site.
The nature reserve covers the shoreline and shallow water lagoons along 9 miles of the western end of Rutland Water and covers a total area of 1000 acres. There are over 30 bird watching hides and nature trails from two visitor centres. A mixture of water levels, habitats and management strategies have led to Rutland Water providing a haven to literally thousands of birds comprising hundreds of species
Spring - Spring at Rutland Water is a magical few months The remains of the winter ducks, swans and grebes still hang out on the lagoons, whilst in other areas of the reserve, new species begin to appear, migrating from their southerly winter grounds. Sand martin whizz over the heads of striking smew, the first ospreys fish alongside black-necked or Slavonian grebes, and in the woods, the first hint of the dawn chorus can be heard, whilst brambling still rummage in the leaf litter.
Summer - As spring turns to summer, so the tempo of the natural world changes. Many birds and mammals will have had their young now and will be on to the hard job of raising their families in earnest. The flashy plumage, the fresh feathers, and chipper songs can fade a little as the season wears on, but this is still a great time to spot a whole range of wildlife.
Autumn - As the long nights draw in and the air begins to feel a little cooler, you can enjoy an Indian Summer or a crisp, cool day exploring Rutland Wildlife. Autumn is a changeable season. Everything can change with one wild and windy day. Suddenly the lush woodlands will go golden and fiery and flurries of leaves will swirl off the trees, crunching under foot.
Winter - Gaze out over the lagoons in the winter and you’ll understand why Rutland Water is so highly protected and so internationally famous: literally tens of thousands of wildfowl make their home here every winter, with as many as 25,000 ducks, geese and swans being recorded. They are joined by wintering grebes, divers and egrets, coming together to create one incredible wild winter spectacle.
Rutland Water Nature Reserve is carefully managed to ensure that conditions stay just right for wildlife Each lagoon provides different conditions for different species, and the meadows and woodlands are looked after, too, ensuring that species like nightingales can always make a home here.
A project to enhance the habitats, completed in 2011, extended the nature reserve by 240 acres (to cover a total area of 1000 acres), creating nine lagoons made up of shallow water, islands and scrapes. Some of the lagoons are much deeper, and we've also added additional features like tern rafts, a swift tower and artificial reefs below the water, all supporting different plants and animals. We also make the most of grazing, using Hebridean Sheep and Dexter Cattle to help crop down our grass and churn up some of the muddy water edges
Free entrance to all Anglian Water nature reserves (Grafham, Pitsford, Hollowell, Ravensthorpe, Taverham and Alton)
Free entrance to LRWT reserves.
Free Guide to LRWT reserves Selected discounted courses and guided walks 10% off seed and feeders at AWBC & Lyndon
LRWT Membership
Visitors can also just become members of the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust. Joining helps support all the work we do across the two counties and makes a real impact for nature, wildlife. If a visitor wants to join then the best way is directly on our website, but do get a member of staff to talk about membership options with them.
Car Parking
All visitors at either AWBC or Lyndon must display their day permit or annual/volunteer parking permit when parking their cars in the nature reserve car parks. This is to ensure the car parks are used by nature reserve users only, and is included in the cost of the day permit
It is important when selling permits to visitors that you explain the parking situation and make sure they are all displaying a valid parking permit of some kind. If a car is parked without a permit it may receive a ticket when the wardens check the car parks If someone brings a ticket in that they have been given, call a member of staff to attend to them
Greeting visitors
As the first point of contact for visitors onto the nature reserve, we want to give everyone the best experience possible. When a visitor first walks in it is always helpful to be friendly and chat to find out more about their visit. Ask them if they have been before, and if they know about the reserve. If they haven’t then it is a good starting point to talk about both sides of the reserve, show them a map, point out your current location, and tell them about what they might see
It’s much better to start with a friendly chat than to immediately ask them to purchase a permit.
We also find that it is useful that you do not phrase what you say in a negative manner For example:
Instead of saying: “I’m really sorry, but you need to go back to your car now to put this permit in”
Try: “Please go and pop this permit in your car, it covers your parking all day at both of the nature reserve visitor centres”
Instead of saying to a Wildlife Trust member: “I don’t know why you just don’t get to come in for free”
Try: “This is an Anglian Water reserve that is run in partnership with the LRWT, so you need an Anglian Water permit to enter. This supports all the great work we do.”
FAQ’s
Q: Are dogs allowed on the nature reserve?
A: To safeguard wildlife, grazing sheep and cattle, dogs are not allowed on the Egleton area of the nature reserve. At Lyndon dogs are allowed, but they must be kept on a lead. Assistance dogs are allowed on both reserves
Q: Am I allowed to park in the car park overnight?
A: No parking is allowed overnight at either centre.
Q: Do I have to buy a permit to go onto the reserve?
A: Yes, all visitors who want to go out on to the reserve need a permit. The permit cost helps maintain the reserve and centres. People are welcome to stay in the centres without needing a permit.
Q: I’m an LRWT member, do I get on for free?
A: You still need to buy a permit, but LRWT members (and all wildlife trust members) get a 10% discount on the cost of a permit.
Q: I’m an RSPB member, does that mean I can come on for free?
A: No, this is not an RSPB reserve. It is run by the Wildlife Trust in partnership with Anglian Water and a permit is required to go onto the nature reserve.
Q: I don’t want to go onto the reserve, I just want to park and go for a walk, is that OK?
A: The car park is reserved for visitors onto the nature reserve You can only park in the car park if you wish to go onto the nature reserve
Q: Does my permit cover me for all the car parks at Rutland Water?
A: Your permit covers you for parking and entry onto the nature reserve at both Egleton and Lyndon, it doesn’t cover you for any of the other car parks around Rutland Water
Osprey Cruises
During the summer months we run Osprey cruises on the Rutland Belle. These depart from Whitwell Harbour and we typically head over to the Manton Bay Osprey nest. We sail to parts of the reservoir where we stand a very good chance of seeing ospreys flying by and fishing On board a member of the Rutland Osprey team will guide the cruise, talking about the birds and answering any questions.
On the day of the cruise we have an Osprey talk that takes place in the Lyndon visitor centre, which runs for about 30 minutes Either a volunteer or member of staff will give an overview of Osprey in the UK and the history of the nest at Rutland Water.
Anyone who is booked onto the cruise receives a 20% discount on the permit entry price to the nature reserve on the day of the cruise This is done through the discount section on the till
Volunteer Shifts
Rota
The rota is put together for the two seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn – Both Centres & Winter – AWBC). We will put the visitor centre rota together and send it out to everyone. We send the rota out via email as we can’t share this on our website as it would breach current GDPR rules We would recommend adding the rota to your bookmarks for easy access, but if you can’t find the rota then please get in contact with us.
Any changes to the rota are done by members of staff, so if anything needs changing then please get in contact with us
Help gaps
Each rota will have a number of “Help” gaps where we are looking for a volunteer to fill it. If you notice a Help gap that you would be able to do, then please let us know and we can add you onto the rota
Shifts
We have two volunteer shifts each day, a morning shift and an afternoon shift The morning shift runs from 9 00am – 1 00pm and the afternoon shift 1.00pm – 5.00pm (in November, December, January, and February the sifts are 9.00am –12.30pm & 12.30pm – 4.00pm).
When the new requests go out
We typically send out requests for rota availability twice a year. Once in the new year when we are looking to put the rota together for both centres for the spring and summer, and then towards the end of the summer as we look to put together the AWBC rota for the winter months We will ask for your preference on availability and then do our best to accommodate all volunteers.
What to do if you can’t make a shift
If you were on the rota for a particular shift, but can’t make it anymore, then please let us know as soon as possible and we can open it up to other volunteers. The sooner we know the better, as it gives us more time to fill the gap which really helps the staff on duty.
Safety
Sometimes the weather can make the journey to the centres difficult. There are also times you might feel unwell on the day you were scheduled to be on If you don’t feel safe traveling to the centre, or are unwell and need to rest, please don’t feel like you have to come in Your own wellbeing is the most important.
Volunteers Hub
We have an online Volunteers’ Hub: https://www lrwt org uk/volunteers-hub
The Volunteers’ Hub is where we are putting key health and safety information, Volunteer Newsletters, FAQs, as well as dedicated sections for our various volunteer groups with contact details for group leaders One of the main items on here is the volunteer handbook The handbook includes lots of important information that will help you in your role as a volunteer with the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust. We would ask that you please read the handbook for both your information and safety.
I am no longer able to volunteer
We fully understand that you might no longer be able to volunteer with us. This could be for a variety of different reasons such as you have moved away or no longer have the time to volunteer Please get in contact and let us know if you are stopping volunteering with the Wildlife Trust.
Did you know that there are manmade habitats on the reserve, they comprise two artificial sand martin banks, an artificial otter holt and an artificial kingfisher nest and many osprey nest platforms. All these structures provide suitable nesting sites that are not naturally available.
Did you know that Rutland Water proudly rings 40% of the UKs breeding sand martins and last year we ringed 1200 sand martin chicks.
Did you know that on some lagoons are plastic rafts that are covered with gravel to provide safe nesting for terns and gulls These rafts are moored and have Perspex sides to prevent otters, badgers, and other swimming predators predating the eggs and chicks.
Did you know that one of the prime attractions on the reserve are hundreds of waders, they include great white egrets, little egrets, grey herons, bitterns, ibis, lapwing redshank, greenshank and avocets
Did you know that the vegetation on the islands and lagoon edges are cut back every year to provide better habitation for our waders. We also use water to flood out the margins, so by raising the water levels in winter it created muddy edge for the spring for birds to feed on
Do you know that as with all habitats there are a large range of predators, they comprise badgers, foxes, magpies, rooks, crows, otter, stoats, buzzards, kestrels, red kites, and ospreys. Predator numbers are not artificially controlled on the reserve but some fencing and gates are in place to deter foxes in certain areas.
Reserve Maintenance
Did you know that maintaining our reserve involves thousands of man hours every year This work is carried out by volunteers that are managed by the Habitat Team of qualified permanent staff. These tasks comprise building hides (there are 35 hides and each hide needs to be replaced every 25 to 30 years), coppicing woodland, clearing vegetation from nest sites, cleaning sand martin nests, cutting reed beds, maintaining footpaths, building and maintaining fencing and screens, building and repairing nest boxes, and erecting and maintaining osprey nest platforms.
Did you know that the water level in the lagoons can be controlled and this is done by the staff opening and closing sluices
Did you know that recently the level of the islands on the lagoons were lowered. This was to allow high water to flood the islands at certain times of the year to control the growth of grass and to provide a better nesting habitat for waders.
This is when the now famous Rutland Sea Dragon fossil was found It’s a 10 5 long 183 million year old Ichthyosaur. This was dug up from lagoon 4 and is ready to be cleaned and studied.
Did you know that two major translocation programs have been carried out, the first was when osprey chicks were brought from Scotland in the 1990s and the second being when captive bred water voles were brought from Devon in the early 2000s.
Did you know that invasive species on the reserve include zebra and quagga mussels and signal crayfish
Did you know that the Lagoons contain stickleback, minnows, carp, tench, bream, rainbow trout, brown trout, pike, and perch.
Did you know that mammals on the reserve include water shrew, field mouse, field voles, and brown rats
Surveys
Did you know that regular bird counts, butterfly surveys and insect surveys are carried out on the reserve with the results recorded onto national databases Also, regular bird ringing is done to provide information on species health and distribution.
Every month we count all the wetland birds as part of the national census. This is called the WeBS count A team of volunteers and staff go out at the same time and count the whole reservoir
Conclusion
Wildlife conservation becomes more and more essential as the human population grows All the thousands of hours of work carried out at Rutland ensures every square metre of the site is as attractive as possible to as many varied species as possible.
Thank you again for volunteering in our visitor centres We hope this booklet has provided lots of useful information and we look forward to having you as part of the team.
