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Swithland Reservoir

Leicestershire  >  United Kingdom

Swithland Reservoir is one of the largest reservoirs in Leicestershire, which has a record of over 200 bird species, and is a hotspot for lots of birdwatchers.

Added* by LeicsBirder
Most recent update 20 april 2022
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Description

Swithland Reservoir, adjacent to the Mountsorrel quarry is a hotspot for birdwatchers. With rarities such as Gorska lasta, Crvenoleđi žalar and Mala morska crnka, Swithland Reservoir is a great place to birdwatch all year round. In winter, you can expect ducks such as Patka dupljašica, Zviždara, Krdža, Morska crnka and other wintering wildfowl. Then in spring, the arrival of Sandpipers and other waders such as Krivokljuni sprudnik and Sprudnik pijukavac can be viewed from the Kinchley Lane railings and the dam. Potočna pliska and Žuta pliska can also be seen in low double figures, however the Bela pliska is the most frequent.

Mala bela čaplja, Velika bela čaplja and occasionally Čaplja govedarka can be seen from a distance and the very rare, but uncommon at Swithland, Ražanj 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 Mala čigra, Obična čigra and Dugokljuna čigra, which dive and dart around the reservoir. More ducks such as Grogotovac can also be seen in summer. Moving on to autumn and the autumn migration, another great season for birdwatching, much rarer waders such as Mala sprutka and Seda sprutka, if you're lucky, can be seen and the much rarer Sandpipers such as Riđa sprutka and Morska sprutka.

Crnotrba sprutka, Vodomar and Vivak 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 Kukuvija and a Ritska sova, and occasionally a Utina 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.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Lake , Scattered trees and bushes , Reedbeds , City/village

Conditions

Flat , Hilly , High water possible

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Spring , Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Wide path , Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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