Winter Wildlife & Lake District

[Spiritofthewild]

Hi.

I am off to the Lake District next week and really want to discover new and interesting wildlife. However, I know it is winter so I am probably limited to what I can find? I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction as to what we can find during this winter period? More specifically anything which I could un-earth in the Lake District during my time there. I like all aspects of nature, so even discovering new fauna would be something if I couldn't search out any mammals/birds/insects etc.

Thanks in advance!
Spiritofthewild.

[Wild-Woman]

Hello and welcome!
If you go to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust website, you can select reserves and there's a list of fauna/flora for each. There's also a useful map which will help you select reserves that you may be staying near or on!
I'm sure others will also point you in the right direction for this time of year.

[Spiritofthewild]

Thanks Wild-Woman, I will look into that.

[ChrisJB]

If you make the journey round to the head of Haweswater you can do the walk over to Riggindale to look for the lonely male golden eagle (he has no mate.....so sad) - if he is still there. He should be starting to display about now.
Bassenthwaite has a hide that is supposed to offer good chances of seeing otters and there has been a scaup there recently.
There are also several areas good for red squirrels. I have seen them in and around Patterdale, at the head of Ullswater. Try the grounds of the youth hostel. They used to come to the bird feeders. Not far from here is Martindale where you can see red deer too.
Let us know how you get on.

Chris

[Spiritofthewild]

Thanks Chris, some really good advice there, will pencil those places into the plan

I would love to see Otters, but wasn't sure they would be around. Fingers crossed I can see them or the eagle!

[Spiritofthewild]

@ChrisJB

Arrived back from the Lake District today. Made the trek down to Haweswater Reservoir, spent around an hour or so there but was unlucky not to catch a glimpse of the eagle. It was a fairly dull day with low cloud, there was little wildlife or birds in general that early afternoon. But the scenery was breathtaking which made up for it.

I was glad however the next day to find a bird I had never seen before, a young Cormorant on Lake Windermere. At least that is what I believed it to be using the Collins pocket guide that everyone recommended.

I took a walk through the woodland at the red squirrel reserve in Thirlmere and came across a trio of long-tailed tits playing together.

Can't wait to return in late spring or summer where I am sure the place will be far more active

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Spiritofthewild

@ChrisJB

Arrived back from the Lake District today. Made the trek down to Haweswater Reservoir, spent around an hour or so there but was unlucky not to catch a glimpse of the eagle. It was a fairly dull day with low cloud, there was little wildlife or birds in general that early afternoon. But the scenery was breathtaking which made up for it.

I was glad however the next day to find a bird I had never seen before, a young Cormorant on Lake Windermere. At least that is what I believed it to be using the Collins pocket guide that everyone recommended.

I took a walk through the woodland at the red squirrel reserve in Thirlmere and came across a trio of long-tailed tits playing together.

Can't wait to return in late spring or summer where I am sure the place will be far more active

Glad you had a good time, even without an eagle sighting. And yes, the scenery at the head of Haweswater is outstanding. There are some great walks up into the mountains from there.

Chris