Lake District Wildlife
When it comes to wildlife, you can't beat the Lake District for its rarity, abundance and natural beauty. In fact, according to the BBC Wildlife Program "Cumbria is the county with everything."
Come to lakeland at the right time of year and you could see Englands only Golden Eagle, a sight not to be missed. Wild otters are now a regular sighting in Cumbria and if you want to see a Char in Britain (a very rare freshwater fish) then you have to visit Windermere.
Take a look through our list of Lake District Wildlife, find out just where you can find them and ..... come and see them! Good Luck.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
During late winter and early spring, Soaring high over the haweswater valley, its quite easy to spot the huge silhouette of Englands last remaining Golden Eagle. Its shear size distinguishes it from any other bird. With "fingered" wing tips and a long neck, the Golden Eagle is unmistakable against the Buzzard, the only other bird that you could possibly mistake it with. The Eagle, a ten year old male, had a female up until a couple of years ago, sadly she died and he has not been able to attract another. RSPB officials are hopeful the bird will hook up with a scottish eagle and successfully breed in the Lakes. To see the bird head for the RSPB's Haweswater reserve and watchpoint in Cumbria. To reach the viewpoint (grid reference NY 466117), walk around the head of the reservoir into a valley called Riggindale (this is marked on OS maps). From the old stone barn at the lower end of Riggindale head up the valley with the stone wall on your right hand side. The viewpoint is about 40 minutes from the car park along a rough, but not steep, track.
Reserve is always open. Eagle viewpoint is open from 11 am-4 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, plus bank holidays.
Email. haweswater@rspb.org.uk
Tel: 01931 713376

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Red Squirrel (sciurus vulgaris)
For many people who live in the Lake District, "Red Squirrel" conjures up images of Nutkin, the naughty squirrel in stories by Beatrix Potter. The name Red squirrel is actually a bit of a misnomer, as this cute creature can have shades from almost dark brown to a light orange. Now, quite rare throughout England, this creature can be found if you know where to look. Many conservation groups are doing their best to help them, including the introduction of feeding stations, busy road "crossing ladders" and the planting of dense coniferous woodland which the red needs so desperately to survive.
Another plan that has been welcomed by conservationists is the cull of the Eastern Grey Squirrel. These "Tree Rats" as they are called by Red Squirrel enthusiasts are blamed for the steep decline in Red numbers, not only in the UK but throughout Europe. The Grey's carry a deadly virus called Parapox that can wipe out a colony of Reds in no time. If you see Grey Squirrels in a Red Squirrel area, you are encouraged to report it before it's too late.
To see them you need to head for the Whinlatter Forest Park Centre, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria,CA12 5TW.
Telephone 017687 78469

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Otter (Lutra lutra)
The decline of otters in the UK began in the 1950s with the introduction of organochlorine pesticides such as sheep dip, in the following years numbers plumeted and in some areas, wiped out altogether.
However, all is not bad news. Because of new farming methods and the hard work of conservation groups, the Eurasian Otter is once again on the increase in the Lake District. To see an Otter you have to be really lucky. These are predominantly noctunal animals and very shy. A chance meeting with one is your best bet. Keep your eyes open on the edges of riverbanks, and lakes. They particularly like areas with soft soil to build their dens.
With the advent of comercial fish farming and trout lakes for anglers, the otter has found a new enemy. However, with the continued hard work and support of Otter conservation groups, the Otter's future is bright.

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Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus)
Red Deer can be found in parks throughout Britain, however the only herds in England that are native are the ones found in Cumbria, the rest are strays and zoo escapees.

They can be seen all through the year but are most prominent during late autumn when the stags are rounding up their females for the rutting season. At this time you need to be especially careful around them and never get yourself between a male and his harem. They can be seen and heard all over the Lake District but they especially like dense woodland as they are a shy animal. The Red can easily be distinguished from Roe and Fallow deer by their size, Red Deer are the largest mammal on British soil.
Due to the price rise in venison, police have stepped up patrols to catch poachers who are taking many Deer in the Lakes. Although this practice is not yet under control, the authorities are gaining ground and poached Deer numbers are down.

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Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Ospreys are a large fish-eating bird of prey, with a wingspan of up to 1.7m (5½ft). In the Uk there are up to 160 Breeding Pairs, but these are in central Scotland. In England there is only one breeding pair, and they are currently in the Lake District. The ospreys returned to their breeding site in Wythop Woods on the edge of Bassenthwaite lake in 2001, this was after many years of hard work by conservationists working behind the scenes, encouraging them to settle here. The osprey is both a beautiful and spectacular bird. It is also known as the Fish hawk, due to its diet being almost entirely lake fish. You may be fortunate, enough to see the birds swoop and take fish on the fly from the surface of the lake ... a stunning and spectaculer sight.

Where to see Ospreys
The ospreys are normally present in the Lake District from mid-April to late August. The Osprey Viewpoint runs at the Forestry Commission’s Dodd Wood, near Keswick. From here there is a direct view of the nest through high powered telescopes from a safe distance.
The Osprey Viewpoint is situated 3 miles north of Keswick off the A591 – follow signs to Mirehouse from the A66. The Viewpoint is 10 minutes walk uphill from the Mirehouse car park. For further information about where to watch the ospreys, contact 017687 78612.

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