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
Marsh Harrier Breeds for the First Time in Leicestershire
A pair of Marsh Harriers have raised a brood of three chicks at an undisclosed site in Leicestershire. This is the first successful breeding attempt in Leicestershire & Rutland. All three young have fledged and are airborne. This is fantastic news and something that should be celebrated.
House Martin Nest Survey in Leicestershire and Rutland
Following on from the successful House Sparrow Survey, this year we want you to record active House Martin nests. A special form has been created to do this and we welcome nest records from members and non-members alike.
Click on the button to access the recording form.
Thank-you, Carl Baggott, County Bird Recorder.
House Martin Nest Survey in Leicestershire and Rutland
Following on from the successful House Sparrow Survey, this year we want you to record active House Martin nests. A special form has been created to do this and we welcome nest records from members and non-members alike.
Click on the button to access the recording form.
Thank-you, Carl Baggott, County Bird Recorder.
House Martin Nest Survey in Leicestershire and Rutland
Following on from the successful House Sparrow Survey, this year we want you to record active House Martin nests. A special form has been created to do this and we welcome nest records from members and non-members alike.
Click on the button to access the recording form.
Thank-you, 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
September 2026
This page is no longer being updated, due to the disproportionate amount of work involved and the almost total lack of interest by anybody in sending in sightings and photos for it. For several years, almost everything on this page has been taken from the various county WhatsApp groups, and it is clear that most people are now using these and/or Birdguides/Rare Bird Alert for their news. Should anyone else wish to take on the job of keeping this page updated, please contact the Secretary – email address on the Contact us page.
Sunday 27th September
Rutland Water: Lesser Yellowlegs still, Lagoon 3.
Eyebrook Res: Curlew Sandpiper at the inflow.
Swithland Res: Rock Pipit on the north side this morning.
Warren Lane GP: Spotted Redshank still on Telegraph Pit.
Friday 25th September
Stoney Cove: adult male Honey-buzzard flew south-west just before midday.
Rutland Water: Lesser Yellowlegs now on Lagoon 3.
Thursday 24th September
Rutland Water: Lesser Yellowlegs still, Lagoon 2 this morning, also Curlew Sandpiper, but no sign there or Lapwing hide this evening.
Eyebrook Res: Garganey at the inflow this evening, showing well from the fence on the Leics side. Also 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 10 Ringed Plovers & female Red-crested Pochard.
Warren Lane GP: Spotted Redshank still on Telegraph Pit.
Wednesday 23rd September
Rutland Water: Lesser Yellowlegs still, Lagoon 2
Tuesday 22nd September
Cropston Res: juv Pectoral Sandpiper on the north shore, viewable from the dam.
Rutland Water: Lesser Yellowlegs still, Lagoon 2/South Arm 3.
Warren Lane GP: Spotted Redshank on Telegraph Pit.
Stanford Res (permit holders only): Bittern still in the reedbed.
Sunday 20th September
Cropston Res: juv Pectoral Sandpiper on the north shore, viewable from the dam, also Grey Plover (same bird seen earlier at Swithland Res before being flushed by a Peregrine), 4 Black-tailed Godwits & 1 Green Sandpiper.
Rutland Water: Lesser Yellowlegs still, Lagoon 2, then flew to Lagoon 3; 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Lagoon 2.
Eyebrook Res: Curlew Sandpiper still at the inflow.
Saturday 19th September
Rutland Water: Lesser Yellowlegs still, Lagoon 2, also Spotted Redshank; 2 Black Terns, South Arm 3.
Eyebrook Res: Curlew Sandpiper still.
Swithland Res: Grey Plover still on north side, also 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshanks, 4 Ringed Plovers & 1 Green Sandpiper.
Friday 18th September
Rutland Water: Lesser Yellowlegs still, Lagoon 2/South Arm 3, but no reports of Pec Sand today. Spotted Redshank still, Lagoon 2; Little Stint & Black Tern, South Arm 3.
Warren Lane GP: Pectoral Sandpiper briefly on Telegraph Pit this evening.
Swithland Res: Grey Plover on the north side, also 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Greenshanks, 1 Common Sandpiper & 7 Ringed Plovers.
Eyebrook Res: Curlew Sandpiper still at the inflow.
Cropston Res: Black Tern still.
Thursday 17th September
Rutland Water: Lesser Yellowlegs, Lagoon 2, then flew to Lagoon 1. Also Pectoral Sandpiper still, Lagoon 2, 2 Little Stints, North Arm & 4 Black Terns, South Arm 3.
Cropston Res: Black Tern off the dam.
Eyebrook Res: Curlew Sandpiper still early morning but no sign later due to disturbance by shooting on the adjacent fields.
Tuesday 15th September
Rutland Water: juv Pectoral Sandpiper, Lagoon 2, also 3 Spoonbills & Spotted Redshank still; 3 Black Terns & 2 Wood Sandpipers, South Arm 3.
Eyebrook Res: Curlew Sandpiper & 2 Little Stints still.
Stanford Res (permit holders only): Bittern still, plus Cattle Egret flew west.
Monday 14th September
Burrough Hill: Redstart in hawthorns on north-east side.
Sunday 13th September
Rutland Water: 3 Spoonbills & 2 Spotted Redshanks, Lagoon 2; Black Tern & 7 Little Stints, South Arm 3.
Eyebrook Res: Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, 2+ Cattle Egrets & 1 Red-crested Pochard.
Stanford Res: 2 Bitterns, also female Ferruginous Duck still.
Thursday 11th September
Rutland Water: 3 Little Stints, North Arm; 2 Spotted Redshanks, Turnstone & 6 Wood Sandpipers, South Arm 3.
Eyebrook Res: 3 Little Stints still, also 2 Greenshanks, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Ruff & 6 Dunlin.
Swithland Res: 8 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper & 1 Common Sandpiper, all on the north side.
Monday 7th September
Eyebrook Res: 3 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Knot, 3 Greenshanks, 7 Dunlin, 7 Black-tailed Godwits & 12 Ruff at the inflow, also 3 Turnstones flew through late morning.
Aylestone Meadows: Pied Flycatcher south of Canal Street car park.
Rutland Water: 1 Wood Sandpiper still, South Arm 3.
Swithland Res: 4 Black-tailed Godwits & 2 Greenshanks on the north side.
Sunday 6th September
Eyebrook Res: 3 Little Stints at the inflow; Knot & Cattle Egret at the island.
Beacon Hill: Pied Flycatcher SW of the top car park.
Rutland Water: 6 Wood Sandpipers, South Arm 3; 2 Spotted Redshanks, Lagoon 3.
Thursday 3rd September
Rutland Water: 4 Little Stints, Turnstone, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Wood Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank & 4 Black Terns, South Arm 3; 2 Wood Sandpipers, North Arm.
Eyebrook Res: 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Greenshanks, 11 Ruff, 14 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Dunlin, 16 Ringed Plovers & 1 LRP.