Countryfile 28th April 2024

Rutland Water Nature Reserve on BBC Countryfile

We were thrilled to be asked to feature on BBC Countryfile. It is a great programme dedicated to nature and the countryside, and it has given us the opportunity to showcase our Nature Reserve at Rutland Water on a national level.

Have you seen the episode yet?

Catch up on iPlayer here

We had a great time filming with the crew and presenters. They showed real enthusiasm for our work and were so inspired by what we have achieved. It was a privilege to work with such a talented group of people.

They were all, especially the presenters, great at explaining the best way to tell our story and all really supportive when we were talking to camera. Sean Fletcher was a fantastic person to work with and so engaging, especially when he was talking to Ronny from the Osprey Leadership Foundation.

We would like to extend a huge ‘thank you’ to BBC Countryfile for featuring us, we had a great time and would be more than happy to welcome the team back again anytime.

Special thanks must also go to all our friends, partners and volunteers that have been involved at the reserve and have made this filming possible, including The Leicestershire and Rutland Bat group for their involvement.

Behind the scenes filming with BBC Countryfile

“It was really exciting to be invited to be a part of the Countryfile episode. We typically talk to thousands of people each year about the ospreys, but to have the opportunity to present a piece to a massive audience such as BBC Countryfile is a huge privilege and a wonderful opportunity for us to talk about the work which we as a Trust are so proud of. We hope that we can inspire a brand new group of people to get involved and learn more about fantastic conservation work including the continued work with our ospreys.”

George Smith, Information Officer.

"It has been fantastic to be offered the opportunity to showcase Rutland Water, the work of our Reserve teams and the numerous volunteers who have created this wonderful site, on such a high profile show. When you consider that the Reservoir was only built less than 50 years ago, but through dedicated work it is now is an Internationally important site for conservation. The Reserve goes from strength to strength with the continued success of breeding Ospreys, and record years for bird counts such as Egrets, Teal, Pintail and Shoveler. We have also seen record numbers of Otter sightings, and recently breeding of Marsh Harriers and Nightingales. Behind these successes lie scientific research and recording that support our work – for example last year we counted over 124,000 birds, ringed over 5,500 birds of 51 species and recorded 572 species of beetle on the site. It is great to be able to share this work and successes and to encourage people to come to this amazing place and see our work in restoring Nature."

Mat Carter, CEO Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust.