In September 2016 Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust announced that it was looking for a new manager for its near 400 ha Rutland Water Nature Reserve part of the huge Rutland Water reservoir operated by Anglian Water. The announcement said that “The current Reserve Manager, Tim Appleton MBE, is stepping down after more than 40 very successful years in post.”
For many birdwatchers and conservationists this was the ending of an era.
In part one of a two part podcast Charlie talks with Tim about his early days growing up in Bristol, working with Sir Peter Scott at Slimbridge, and about coming to Rutland Water long before the water did…
In the second part Tim talks about setting up Birdfair at Rutland Water NR, the army of volunteers that ensure Birdfair’s smooth running, the huge amount of money the Birdfair has raised for conservation projects, and finally plans for his own future.
• Rutland Water Nature Reserve (external link)
• Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust (external link)
• Birdfair (external link)
• Tim is on Twitter @Rutlandbirds (external link)