I spoke to the RSPB folk up at Haweswater yesterday on behalf of a friend who is going up to the area on a walking break and they think that the reported Golden Eagle sighting earlier in the week may have been unreliable and they still believe he's gone. They will however continue to man the Riggindale view point until this weekend.
There are other raptors to see in the valley including several Buzzards that would not be tolerated by the Eagle - another reason to suspect he has gone.
I read in my newspaper this morning that the male Golden Eagle which has been a resident at Riggindale near Haweswater since 2001, has not seen by RSPB staff since last November, and would normally be seen at this time of year building a nest and displaying attempting to attract a mate. Sadly the RSPB folk up there believe he may have died.
Good views of the Eagle on tuesday, arrived at the viewpoint at noon and within 5 minutes the bird was located flying high up the valley. During the next 25 mins the eagle seemed to cover the whole valley, sometimes drifting and circling above the peaks where it was mobbed by a buzzard, but at various times would stake out the southern crags[ seemed to favour ] at lower altitude. a couple of ravens pestered the bird at one stage and when he found a ledge to rest up on a pair of kestrels mobbed him for several minutes. when i left at 1330 he was still resting up.
Golden eagle perched on the rocks. 3 Wheatear Common Redstart in trees behind the wall on path to hide Numerous Meadow Pipit Willow Warbler Chiffchaff Raven Buzzard Pair of Goosander Common Sandpiper
Originally posted by Jonathon Platt yesterday for the Riggendsle Valley:
Saw the eagle three times this morning - briefly at 8.45am, a stunning display across the valley at 9.45am, then another around 10.15am. A few wheatears knocking about, lesser redpolls and goldcrests in the pines by the lake. An osprey on the way home at Esthwaite Water too.
After staying overnight at nearby Patterdale, myself and the Mrs with the dog in-tow headed over to the RSPB viewpoint at Haweswater this morning for the resident Golden Eagle.
A few Wheatears were about en-route on the walk up, together with lots of Meadow Pipits, Siskin, Redpoll. Also heard but not seen was a Ring Ouzel.
On arrival at the viewpoint the Golden Eagle was immediately on view thanks to one of the wardens - showing well on the boulders to the right of the viewpoint.
After about 20 minutes or so, we then witnessed a spectacular display flight with the bird seen folding it's wings and plunging down towards ground, even the Mrs was impressed!
A Raven then began mobbing and the Eagle flew close to the viewpoint and great views were had overhead before it flew past to one of it's favoured perches according to the warden - "P7".
A cracking bird on a lovely morning in the Lake District.
Had a mesage this morning from a chap I met yesterday to say that as they were leaving, after I had already left, the Eagle was flying over the reservoir for a short time giving good views. So it may pay anyone going up there to look over the towards Riggingdale when dropping down to the car park. There are a couple of places to stop on the road - no birding when driving eh
Thought it was about time I nipped up to Haweswater to see what was about - I left home at 05.30 and arrived Burnbanks at 07.10 where I found a Red Squirrel in the wood below the damn wall, there was surprisingly very little obvious birding activity and so on to the Haweswater car park. On the walks up to and down from Riggingdale, where the RSPB watchpoint is sited I found of interest:- several Wheatears (some obviously feeding young), plenty of Mipits, a Wood Warbler, a female Whinchat, an Oystercatcher over and a couple of Willow Warblers & on the water big numbers of Greylags with a lone Barnacle Goose. But the star of the show and the reason for the visit was the Golden Eagle. It took quite some time to locate as it was on the ground amongst the rocks but when located had lovely views. Worth the drive (220 miles round trip) and the trek up to the view point. A lifetime first for me
-- Edited by sid ashton on Saturday 12th of June 2010 10:12:27 PM
Made a trip up there yesterday on the back of a random conversation that made me worry that it might be that last chance to see a golden eagle in the wild in England. Was in the car park for just before 6.45am and at the site for about 7.30. An early start but without any doubt the highlight of my birding year. Was lucky enough to see him within about an hour when he took flightf so was then able to get a scope on the perch, my heart literally skipped a beat- cannot recommend it highly enough.
Ian The lone male is still there and was displaying april early may but whether its still showing and displaying at this time of the year is anyones guess.As not much info comes out for sightings of this bird nowadays Tom Morton went up the other week but due to the conditions ie Raining he never saw a thing
There is only one eagle - the male. The female died a few years ago.
There is a manned (check the hours) RSPB watchpoint half way up the valley and they have a couple of scopes set up (wish I'd known before I set off lugging mine up there). Its a bit of a walk from the car park, probably 1.5 - 2km and its along a slight incline. It takes about 30-35mins. Longer if you stop to look at anything along the way.
The views we got were really good, if a little distant, but I think its a case of just turning up and hoping he's not sat right at the other end of the valley.
There are directions to the Haweswater car park on the RSPB website. Once you are there make sure you look at the map on the gate as I believe a few people have gone completely the wrong way.
The woods on the eastern side also have redstart and pied flycatcher. We didnt see them but really didnt have a lot of time to look.
The drive wasnt too bad - about 1hr 45 mins, and that was at 07.30 in the morning, quicker than the time it would take me to get to some places in GM at that time of day
Cheers
Craig
-- Edited by Craig H at 16:13, 2007-05-15
-- Edited by Craig H at 17:00, 2007-05-15
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hi craig are the eagles nesting up there,do they have a viewing screen?Ive only been to hawsewater once, before i became a birder .its hell of a drive to get there from what i can remember but well worth it the views are spectacular.
Trip to Haweswater today to see the Golden Eagle specifically. He was showing well but we missed the 'skydancing' earlier in the morning. Nice view of Golden Eagle and Peregrine together as the falcon mobbed the eagle.
As well as these two were the following (obviously not all in the same place):
Raven (2 pairs), Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Grey and Pied Wagtails, Wheatear, Stonechat, Willow Warbler, Wood Warbler (crippling views down to 5 or 6 feet), Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Goldcrest, Linnet, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Mipit, C.Crow, Buzzard, C. Goose, Blackbird, SongThrush, Swallow, Swift, House Sparrow, House Martin, Rook, Blue, Great, Coal Tit, Blackcap, Wren.
Well worth the trip.
-- Edited by Craig H at 19:41, 2007-05-14
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Sunday 15th of April 2012 09:59:27 PM
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