Welcome to LROS
The Leicestershire & Rutland Ornithological Society is a Registered Charity (No. 254645), which aims to:
Promote birdwatching and the study, conservation and enjoyment of birds in the two counties.
Record and publish Members’ sightings in the form of an Annual Report book and newsletters, which each member receives.
Present a series of Indoor/Zoom Meetings throughout the year and a programme of Monthly Outings for members to participate in.
Organise survey work to further our knowledge of wild birds both locally and on a national basis.
Welcome to LROS
The Leicestershire & Rutland Ornithological Society is a Registered Charity (No. 254645), which aims to:
Promote birdwatching and the study, conservation and enjoyment of birds in the two counties.
Record and publish Members’ sightings in the form of an Annual Report book and monthly newsletter, which every member receives.
Present a series of Indoor/Zoom Meetings throughout the year and a programme of Monthly Outings for members to participate in.
Organise survey work to further our knowledge of wild birds both locally and on a national basis.
Established in 1941
Join LROS for just £18 per year
Just £1.50 a month
Record your bird sightings with LROS
Members Area
Share Knowledge
Engage with over 500 birdwatchers from Leicestershire and Rutland
Make a Difference
Help preserve the birds of Leicestershire and Rutland
Learn from Peers
New and experienced birdwatchers welcome
Record Your Observations
Keep track of your records and those of other members
Surveys and Census
Help with bird surveys
Goshawks Breeding in Leicestershire
This magnificent raptor species has bred at two undisclosed locations in Leicestershire this year! This is the first documented instance of breeding in the county. Harley, writing in 1841, stated that ‘Goshawks used to occur not infrequently in our woodlands and forest wilds, but had become exceedingly rare.’ However, no proof was given that they bred in the county during that century.
To view a video of two of the fledged juveniles and a second-calendar male, click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhI39qG4pQo
Carl Baggott, County Bird Recorder.
Goshawks Breeding in Leicestershire
This magnificent raptor species has bred at two undisclosed locations in Leicestershire this year! This is the first documented instance of breeding in the county. Harley, writing in 1841, stated that ‘Goshawks used to occur not infrequently in our woodlands and forest wilds, but had become exceedingly rare.’ However, no proof was given that they bred in the county during that century.
To view a video of two of the fledged juveniles and a second-calendar male, click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhI39qG4pQo
Carl Baggott, County Bird Recorder.
Goshawks Breeding in Leicestershire
This magnificent raptor species has bred at two undisclosed locations in Leicestershire this year! This is the first documented instance of breeding in the county. Harley, writing in 1841, stated that ‘Goshawks used to occur not infrequently in our woodlands and forest wilds, but had become exceedingly rare.’ However, no proof was given that they bred in the county during that century.
To view a video of two of the fledged juveniles and a second-calendar male, click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhI39qG4pQo
Carl Baggott, County Bird Recorder.
Reasons to Join
✓ Share Knowledge. Engage with over 500 birdwatchers from Leicestershire and Rutland
✓ Make a Difference and Help preserve the birds of Leicestershire and Rutland
✓ Learn from Peers. New and experienced birdwatchers welcome
✓ Record Your Observations. Keep track of your records and those of other members
✓ Surveys and Census. Help with bird surveys
Your Financial Contributions Go Towards Projects Like the Below
Relaunch of Tern Rafts at Hicks lodge
With the help of Forestry England we were able to repair both rafts and relaunch them into the lake at Hicks lodge. We also cleared some of the organic matter on the gravel island and positioned three more tern shelters. Reed was also cleared from Infront of the Sand Martin wall.
Many thanks to LROS members Carole, Chris, and Iain, for their magnificent support.
Other Projects Completed
✓ Clearing Wistow Pond
✓ Thornton Res Tern Raft Re-anchored
✓ Owl Boxes Erected at Church Farm
✓ Hicks Lodge Island Clearance
and more…
Featured Books and Annual Reports
All publications in this library were produced by members of LROS.
The Birds of Southwest Leicestershire
By Carl Baggott and Adrian Baker
Published by Leicestershire & Rutland Ornithological Society, 2024
439 pages
Illustrated
ISBN: 978-1-3999-9012-7
Available to Buy at NHBS
The Birds of Lecestershire and Rutland
By Rob Fray, Roger Davis, Dave Gamble, Andrew Harrop, Steve Lister
Published by Helm, 2009
784 Pages
Illustrated
ISBN: 9780713672336
Free Members Downloads
Selected annual reports can be downloaded by members for free.
Written, edited and approved by the Annual Bird Report Sub-Committee
Please contact us if you are interested in reading annual reports that are not yet available to download.
Latest Bird Sightings
February 2026
Tuesday 10th February
Rutland Water: Red-necked Grebe still at the dam; Bittern, Lagoon 3.
Swithland Res: female Lesser Scaup still on the south side.
Eyebrook Res: 6 Smew & 4+ Scaup still.
Syston: 2 White-fronted Geese in field opposite The Gate Hangs Well.
Sunday 8th February
Rutland Water: Red-necked Grebe still west of south end of the dam; Black-necked Grebe, west end of North Arm.
Swithland Res: female Lesser Scaup still on the south side.
Eyebrook Res: 4+ Smew & 9 Scaup still.
Friday 6th February
Rutland Water: Red-necked Grebe still, c300m west of south end of the dam.
Wednesday 4th February
Rutland Water: Red-necked Grebe at the dam.
Swithland Res: female Lesser Scaup still on the south side.
Aylestone Meadows: Firecrest still by the football ground.
Eyebrook Res: 7+ Smew, juv Whooper Swan, 3 Pink-footed Geese & 19 White-fronted Geese still.
Sunday 1st February
Aylestone Meadows: Firecrest 100m north of Middleton Street bridge.
Swithland Res: female Lesser Scaup still on the south side.
Rutland Water: 18 White-fronted Geese, Egleton Reserve, between Gadwall and Goldeneye hides; 8 Scaup, Fishponds.
Eyebrook Res: 6 Smew, 3 Scaup & 16 White-fronted Geese still.