Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata | LC | passage (2001–2006) | 586 individuals | B1i, C3 |
| Gadwall Mareca strepera | LC | passage (2001–2006) | 774 individuals | B1i, C3 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | passage (2001–2006) | 26,224 individuals | A4iii, C4 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | winter (2001–2006) | 27,833 individuals | A4iii, C4 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2007. The most recent assessment (2007) is shown below.
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2007 | very unfavourable | high | high |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | good | |
| State (condition of the key species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata | 201 / 550 (individuals) | 37 | very unfavourable | ||
| Gadwall Mareca strepera | 251 / 1,160 (individuals) | 22 | very unfavourable | ||
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | 27,833 / 21,919 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Natural system modifications | likely in short term (within 4 years) | most of population/area (50–90%) | rapid deterioration (>30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Invasive and other problematic species and genes | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity | high |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Rutland Water | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 100 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | - | Mixed woodland |
| Grassland | - | |
| Shrubland | - | Scrub |
| Wetlands (inland) | - | Standing freshwater; Water fringe vegetation |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| forestry | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| water management | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Rutland Water (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/rutland-water-iba-united-kingdom on 18/01/2025.