Description
Swithland Reservoir, adjacent to the Mountsorrel quarry is a hotspot for birdwatchers. With rarities such as Klippesvale, Kildire and Lille Bjergand, Swithland Reservoir is a great place to birdwatch all year round. In winter, you can expect ducks such as Hvinand, Pibeand, Krikand, Bjergand and other wintering wildfowl. Then in spring, the arrival of Sandpipers and other waders such as Hvidklire and Svaleklire can be viewed from the Kinchley Lane railings and the dam. Bjergvipstjert and Gul Vipstjert can also be seen in low double figures, however the Hvid Vipstjert is the most frequent.
Silkehejre, Sølvhejre and occasionally Kohejre can be seen from a distance and the very rare, but uncommon at Swithland, Sort Ibis can also be viewed. The dam and the Kinchley lane railings are the best spot for watching the birds. Summer announces the arrival of terns such as Dværgterne, Fjordterne and Splitterne, which dive and dart around the reservoir. More ducks such as Atlingand can also be seen in summer. Moving on to autumn and the autumn migration, another great season for birdwatching, much rarer waders such as Dværgryle and Temmincksryle, if you're lucky, can be seen and the much rarer Sandpipers such as Krumnæbbet Ryle and Sortgrå Ryle.
Almindelig Ryle, Isfugl and Vibe can be seen all year round, but autumn and spring the best season for them. Finally back in to winter, on a late evening, you can be rewarded by the obvious figure of a Slørugle and a Mosehornugle, and occasionally a Skovhornugle can be seen perched in a nearby tree.
Details
Access
You can drive around Kinchley Lane in Mountsorrel, which will eventually lead to the dam or you can view from Swithland Lane. Parking is available on Kinchley and Swithland Lane, as the roads are quite wide and the dam on Kinchley Lane is probably the best place to park.
