What rare bird was spotted at Rutland Water?

The juvenile Baird's sandpiper, a rare visitor from North America, was spotted at Rutland Water nature reserve.

Where does the Baird's sandpiper normally nest?

The Baird's sandpiper normally nests in northern North America and eastern Siberia.

How often are Baird's sandpipers spotted in the UK?

Bowell noted that there are typically only around 1 to 6 Baird's sandpiper sightings recorded in Britain each year.

Home / Environment / Rare North American Bird Spotted at Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Rare North American Bird Spotted at Rutland Water Nature Reserve

15 Oct

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Summary

Juvenile Baird's sandpiper, a "rare" visitor from North America, spotted at Rutland Water
Birdwatchers flocked to see the bird, described as a "real treat"
Unusually close sighting, with the bird approaching within 2 meters

Rare North American Bird Spotted at Rutland Water Nature Reserve

On the weekend of 2025-10-15, a rare visitor from North America was spotted at Rutland Water nature reserve in Leicestershire. The Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust reported that birdwatchers had been "flocking" to see the juvenile Baird's sandpiper, which was sighted off the Whitwell Peninsula.

One such birdwatcher, 39-year-old Will Bowell from Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, traveled to the reserve twice over the past weekend to photograph the bird. Bowell described the sighting as "a real treat," noting that the Baird's sandpiper, which normally nests in northern North America and eastern Siberia before migrating to South America for the winter, occasionally makes its way across the Atlantic to the UK as well.

Bowell explained that the exceptionally dry conditions this year have led to a lot of exposed mud, which waders like the Baird's sandpiper are attracted to. This, in turn, has allowed birdwatchers to get unusually close to the bird, with Bowell stating that on Saturday, the sandpiper walked up to him until it was less than 2 meters away.

The Baird's sandpiper sighting is the first record for Rutland Water, making it a very rare occurrence in the area. Bowell noted that there are typically only around 1 to 6 such sightings recorded in Britain each year, and they are usually spotted on the west coast or the Hebrides, rather than inland.

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