Keswick and the Lake District

[Goatboy]

I'm going to be spending a week in the lake district this month. I'm hoping to get a bit of birding in (assuming it isn't a complete wash out).

I've got Leighton Moss and Walney Island pencilled as definites. Are there any other places that I should be visiting?

Also, are there any good places for marine wildlife? In fact any wildlife at all.

I'm staying in Keswick but don't mind driving a bit for a good day out.

[Davy Crockett]

Originally Posted by Goatboy

I'm going to be spending a week in the lake district this month. I'm hoping to get a bit of birding in (assuming it isn't a complete wash out).

I've got Leighton Moss and Walney Island pencilled as definites. Are there any other places that I should be visiting?

Also, are there any good places for marine wildlife? In fact any wildlife at all.

I'm staying in Keswick but don't mind driving a bit for a good day out.

Keswick is quite a way from Leighton Moss and Walney, leyton, its a bit late to see all the breeding gulls etc so that may be disapointing. Leighton Moss is usually good most time of the year but best in spring, i think. while your there get directions to the Eric Morecambe Pools, not far, but worthwhile. There are many recreational activities to enjoy in the Arnside & Silverdale. the RSPB Reserve at Leighton Moss attracting 200,000+ visitors a year. Whilst the Reserve provides excellent facilities such as hides, information, shop and tea room, it is possible to see a great variety of birdlife all around. Waders on the Kent Estuary near Arnside in the North or Peregrines at Warton Crag in the South.

[ChrisJB]

You could also check out Sizergh Castle (NT place) just south of Kendal. It can be brilliant for Hawfinches early in the morning. The car park is the best spot.

Regards, Chris

[RobSutton]

If you're going up to Keswick I'd try a day on the Solway Firth rather than Walney Island. Head first for Siloth and onto Grune Point as the tide starts to rise and then head for Cadurnock and the minor road that goeas past RSPB Campfield Marsh and onto Bowness-on-Solway, Port Carlisle, Drumburgh etc. If you get your timing right then you can follow the tide all the way up. There are odd stopping points all the way that give good views over the estuary.

It is much much better on a good incoming spring tide so try and check tide times before you go. From memory (I lived in Keswick for a short while) you need to be at Grune Point c.2-3 Hours before high tide at Siloth, wait for the tide to start covering the saltmarsh there and then head on east toward Bowness-on Solway.

[d70mpv]

If you go to the end of Spoonygreen Lane (which goes North out of Keswick, over the A66 via a bridge) there's woods with Red Squirrels in. And a nice walk up the small hill there (with spectacular views over Derwentwater). This is a Wainwright walk which proves it's good (though not that long). I know as we were there just over a year ago and walked right past a Red scrambling up a tree! It'd be a good time to see them as they'll be beginning to forage on the ground for food for storage during the winter. Or so I was told - I'll be going down to Brownsea Island later next month to see the Reds down there.

[Goatboy]

Thanks for the ideas.

A long drive isn't a problem. I live in Staffordshire so I'm used to driving far for a good day out.
It isn't the best time of year but it's a family holiday (with me sneaking off at every opportunity ) so I have to make the best of it.
I'll certainly give the Solway Firth a try and Hawfinches sound tempting.
Think I'll fit the Jennings brewery in as well.

I'll let you know how I get on and thanks again.

[Jim Ford]

Sandscale Haws near Barrow in Furness is an interesting Nature reserve:

Grid Ref: SD 186 751

Copy and paste into the box in (take out the spaces first):

http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm

Jim

[cwilk]

There is the osprey hide at bassenthwaite lake, just north of keswick. I don't know much about birds so not sure if they're there the whole year round. Also golden eagles on the blea tarn side of high street, not really a family walk but you could drive up from Shap. Again, I dont know how likely you are to see them.

My dad goes to leighton moss nearly every week and always sees a lot. Last month there were marsh harriers and a kingfisher. as the earlier poster said, the eric morecambe hide is very good. He also took me to see a chough at warton crag (not sure exaclty where but it was the same quarry with the perigrines). I'm sure other birdie people will know.

Gait barrows nature reserve is really excellent - just north of leighton moss. It is limestone pavement and very interesting botanically, but there is a lake there (haweswater) which has more birds, and I've seen deer there.

Have a great holiday.

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by cwilk

There is the osprey hide at bassenthwaite lake, just north of keswick. I don't know much about birds so not sure if they're there the whole year round. Also golden eagles on the blea tarn side of high street, not really a family walk but you could drive up from Shap. Again, I dont know how likely you are to see them.

......

Have a great holiday.

I think it's unlikely you'd see either, the ospreys have almost certainly migrated south for the winter and there is now only one eagle and not seen regularly at all.

[Goatboy]

Just got back after a great week, your suggestions were really helpful.

Didn't see any rarities but had a bit of a shock when we first saw the Emperor Geese at Walney, didn't know about them.

Had a good walk around Grune point (accompanied by a flock of Twite) and when the tide came in had a drive up to Anthorn which was really cool.

Managed 61 species of bird, Fallow Deer and Red Squirrel.

The highlight was at Walney. Sat for a couple of hours watching 10 Grey Seal no more than 15 meters from us. They were sticking their heads out of the water and just enjoying the warm sun beating down on their faces. Magic.