In addition to John's book suggestions, there's also "Birdwatching in the Lake District" by Mike Madders & Philip Snow - a wire-bound Bartholomew guide with nice sketch maps and illustrations.
It's almost 30 years old but the Lake District hasn't changed that much. You can find copies in remainder bookshops in the area.
Returning to the original post on this thread I would like to suggest two useful books that are very helpful:
-Birdwatching Walks in the Lake District by David Hindle and John Wilson
-A Guide to Birdwatching in the Lake District and the Coast of Cumbria by David Watson
Both contain lots of information on places to visit, walks to try out and species that you can expect to see at various times of the year. They are both available from Amazon for less than a fiver!
Very much agree with you there Ian, and like I said I can only go off what the comment seems to indicate, and use it for potentially the amount of credibility it actually holds which in this case looks to be very little. And no doubting Jamie's credibility with his reference to that sighting. Infact I hold sightings on here in higher regard than I do on anything else, as you know. I think I chose my words wisely below...
The trouble is Rob that the report off the Raptor Politics website (which isn't exactly a county sightings forum by any means) is merely a single anonymous comment for which we have no background information. To then take that report and post it on here with confidence could send out the wrong message to anyone reading it and that's where problems may arise (and indeed have in the past).
Jamie's recent post on the other hand relates directly to a traceable observer which certainly seems to authenticate that sightings beyond reasonable doubt, particularly given the observer involved and in that case I'd be much more inclined to believe it (and would have little reason not to in fact; unless the press being the press have messed up once again!)
I don't know why 2010 is coming up Jamie, I'm getting August 7th 2014, he was heard calling for a mate and it's the wrong time of year. This is the comment below.
""""Brad August 7, 2014 We walked haweswater today and was really determined to see the golden eagle, we got onto the last 2 miles and heard it nearby we couldnt see because there was so many trees. I was really disappointed but i am going to do the walk again
Editors Comment. Hi Brad, please keep us informed here on anything you se on your next visit into Haweswater please? We were surprised to learn that you heard the single male bird calling at this time of year.""""
I'm not sure I'd be necessarily be taking such a comment (and I have read it on the website) as a confirmed record of the bird though Rob
...No maybe not Ian, but with it being a different county's forum, that's all we've got to go off I suppose, unless of course there's a well known birder in that area and posts on that particular forum that would make the supposed sighting (or hearing) just that bit more likely. In all honesty though Ian, I don't know if you agree or not...but I think Cumbria is going to be one of those underwatched counties pretty much like Cornwall, vast areas of wide open land with one of the UK's lowest populations, therefore a lot of sightings may well go unnoticed, or indeed just might not be posted if sighted by a forum non-member. Just a thought.
I don't know why 2010 is coming up Jamie, I'm getting August 7th 2014, he was heard calling for a mate and it's the wrong time of year. This is the comment below.
""""Brad August 7, 2014 We walked haweswater today and was really determined to see the golden eagle, we got onto the last 2 miles and heard it nearby we couldnt see because there was so many trees. I was really disappointed but i am going to do the walk again
Editors Comment. Hi Brad, please keep us informed here on anything you se on your next visit into Haweswater please? We were surprised to learn that you heard the single male bird calling at this time of year.""""
I'm not sure I'd be necessarily be taking such a comment (and I have read it on the website) as a confirmed record of the bird though Rob
I don't know why 2010 is coming up Jamie, I'm getting August 7th 2014, he was heard calling for a mate and it's the wrong time of year. This is the comment below.
""""Brad August 7, 2014 We walked haweswater today and was really determined to see the golden eagle, we got onto the last 2 miles and heard it nearby we couldnt see because there was so many trees. I was really disappointed but i am going to do the walk again
Editors Comment. Hi Brad, please keep us informed here on anything you se on your next visit into Haweswater please? We were surprised to learn that you heard the single male bird calling at this time of year.""""
Glad to hear it Chris! It was 2010 I last saw the Haweswater bird. I had heard anecdotally that there had been a big gap between sightings and the worst feared.
Looks like maybe 4 pairs of ospreys in the lakes this year so you don't have to go as far as bassenthwaite lake if you research. Area above Troutbeck village is always good for redstart and warblers. Red kites at Grizedale as well as flycatchers. Have fun.
Your link is taking me to a 2010 article Rob. There is a page about a sighting in 2014 at the traditional site at Riggindale, Haweswater if you search around though.
-- Edited by Craig Higson on Saturday 23rd of August 2014 09:34:35 AM
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Last I heard the Haweswater Golden Eagle has 'gone on holiday' Rob
I do a fair bit of birding in the Lakes but usually later in the year. Windermere is a fantastic site for geese, if you're birdwatching you'll find no shortage of behaviour at Bowness but as it says below, you're unlikely to see anything overly unusual there - keep your eyes open for ringed Greylags and Mute Swan. There's some great local sites for Whooper Swan in winter. I'd head up the hills if you get a day or two, They really are breath-taking and seeing moorland birds in such amazing surroundings really is worth ten times more than ticking anything on your list! :)
J
Rob Creek wrote:
Hi Tanmay, I used to go to the Lakes with my Dad birding years ago, spent a few weekends with friends last few years, and I deliver to Bowness most Wednesdays. I can't think of any LOCAL reserves, and Craig is right, the Lake itself is pretty bland at this time of year, all the birds gather near Bowness village centre right at the lake edge due to the amount of visitors that feed them. Mainly Canada's, Mallards, and usual Gulls. Even crossing the ferry to Hawkshead only throws up the odd Great Crested Grebe or Tufted Duck. You have to venture into the different habitats to MAYBE get something a bit special like Redstart, Flycatchers, etc
But what I will say is...if you are willing to travel while you are there then try these 1. Walney Island (North and South) Nature Reserve approx 30-35 miles away in Barrow. Used to go here annually with Dad, and it is Gull and Tern city, good for Seabirds and sea Ducks, Waders, and coastal migrants in the heath and scrubland.
2. Whinlatter Forest near Keswick, 22 miles away. Now supposedly very good for Otters, and an Osprey programme at nearby Dodd Wood with plenty of viewing opp's
3. Haweswater 34m away still seems to be a good spot for sightings of Golden Eagles, although I can only go off what I've read recently. Personally I thought it was Ullswater (NW of Ambleside) where I've seen them myself that used to be a good spot.
4. Hawkshead only a short ferry ride away from Bowness or just drive round the lake road from Ambleside. This is a good habitat for woodland and heath birds and there are plenty of well recognised footpaths to guide you through the walks.
5. The only other one I can think of that isn't too far away is Grisedale Forest reserve. Not been for years but from what I can remember it is a well established site for many woodland birds but not sure what's there now. Google May help.
If all else fails....you're not too far from Leighton Moss!
Hi Tanmay, I used to go to the Lakes with my Dad birding years ago, spent a few weekends with friends last few years, and I deliver to Bowness most Wednesdays. I can't think of any LOCAL reserves, and Craig is right, the Lake itself is pretty bland at this time of year, all the birds gather near Bowness village centre right at the lake edge due to the amount of visitors that feed them. Mainly Canada's, Mallards, and usual Gulls. Even crossing the ferry to Hawkshead only throws up the odd Great Crested Grebe or Tufted Duck. You have to venture into the different habitats to MAYBE get something a bit special like Redstart, Flycatchers, etc
But what I will say is...if you are willing to travel while you are there then try these 1. Walney Island (North and South) Nature Reserve approx 30-35 miles away in Barrow. Used to go here annually with Dad, and it is Gull and Tern city, good for Seabirds and sea Ducks, Waders, and coastal migrants in the heath and scrubland.
2. Whinlatter Forest near Keswick, 22 miles away. Now supposedly very good for Otters, and an Osprey programme at nearby Dodd Wood with plenty of viewing opp's
3. Haweswater 34m away still seems to be a good spot for sightings of Golden Eagles, although I can only go off what I've read recently. Personally I thought it was Ullswater (NW of Ambleside) where I've seen them myself that used to be a good spot.
4. Hawkshead only a short ferry ride away from Bowness or just drive round the lake road from Ambleside. This is a good habitat for woodland and heath birds and there are plenty of well recognised footpaths to guide you through the walks.
5. The only other one I can think of that isn't too far away is Grisedale Forest reserve. Not been for years but from what I can remember it is a well established site for many woodland birds but not sure what's there now. Google May help.
If all else fails....you're not too far from Leighton Moss!
I'm not aware of any 'reserves' in the immediate area, but there's a good range of habitats (within walking distance of the town centre even) that should provide plenty opportunities for a bit of birding. There's an easy walk through Stock Ghyll woods and then through the valley and back that has a mix of habitats. Many outdoor shops sell leaflets with the walks on. You might be lucky and stuff like Redstart and Pied Flycatcher could still be around. The lake is always worth a scan, but ice never seen anything other than Canada Geese, Mute Swans etc on it.
Bassenthwaite is a good 40 mins away.
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My family are going for a short trip to Ambleside in the Lake District. I was wondering if anyone knew any good birding areas near there, and any species I'm likely to come across at this time of year?
Also is this area close to Bassenthwaite lake (how close?) and will the ospreys still be around?
Thanks in advance for any assistance :) Tanmay
Ian, I've posted this in General Birds discussion as well as Cumbria, please delete from either if you think it is inappropriate in either thread :)
-- Edited by Tanmay Dixit on Friday 22nd of August 2014 10:58:54 AM
