Written by Ed
Wildlife Blog
Notes from the Lake District: conservation, species spotlights, seasonal guides, habitat and photography.
Haweswater in Winter: The Quiet Season at England's Most Remote Reservoir
5 December 2026
Haweswater in winter. Red deer on the fell sides, red squirrels at the feeders, wildfowl on the reservoir. The most visited RSPB site in the Lake District in its quietest season.
Winter Wildfowl on Ullswater: Goldeneye, Goosander and What to Look For
20 November 2026
Winter wildfowl guide for Ullswater. Goldeneye arrive in October. Goosander year-round. What to expect, where to watch from, and the best times for each species.
The Red Deer Rut at Martindale: When and Where to Watch
20 September 2026
Red deer rut in the Lake District. Martindale is the place. Dawn or dusk in October. What to expect and how to watch responsibly.
Photographing the Red Deer Rut: Martindale in October
15 September 2026
How to photograph the red deer rut in Martindale, Lake District. Timing, kit, approach, and the locations that give the best results in October.
Martindale: The Complete Guide to the Lake District's Red Deer Valley
1 September 2026
Complete guide to Martindale in the Lake District. Red deer, the valley's history, how to get there, where to park, and the best approaches for wildlife watching throughout the year.
The High Brown Fritillary: England's Most Threatened Butterfly
1 July 2026
The High Brown Fritillary in the Lake District. One of England's most threatened butterflies. Where it is found, when it flies, and why the Lake District is critical to its survival.
Fishing Blea Tarn: Wild Trout Above Langdale
15 June 2026
Fishing guide for Blea Tarn in Langdale. Wild brown trout in a fell tarn below the Langdale Pikes. Access, approach, tackle, and what to expect.
Upland Birds for Beginners: What to Expect on the Lake District Fells
1 May 2026
Guide to the birds of the Lake District uplands for beginners. Red grouse, ring ouzel, golden plover, peregrine, raven. What to look for and where to find each species.
Spring Migrants at Grizedale: Pied Flycatchers in May
25 April 2026
Spring migrants at Grizedale Forest in May. Pied flycatcher, redstart, and wood warbler. When they arrive, where to find them, and what to look and listen for.
Ospreys at Bassenthwaite Lake: The Birds Above Keswick
10 April 2026
Ospreys at Bassenthwaite Lake. The only public-access osprey nest with a viewing point above Keswick. When to visit, where to watch, and the story of the birds.
Red Squirrels at Whinlatter Forest: England's Only Mountain Forest
20 March 2026
Red squirrels at Whinlatter Forest above Braithwaite. The practical guide to visiting the red squirrel trail, the visitor centre cameras, and the best times for sightings.
Red Squirrels at Grizedale Forest: Where to See Them
10 March 2026
Red squirrels in the Lake District. Grizedale Forest is one of the best places. When to go, what to look for, and how to avoid disturbing them.
Bitterns at Leighton Moss: Boom, Hide, and Wait
25 February 2026
Bitterns at Leighton Moss RSPB near Silverdale. When to hear the boom, where to watch from, and how the species has recovered from near-extinction in Britain.
Ospreys at Haweswater RSPB: Britain's Reintroduction Success Story
15 February 2026
Ospreys at Haweswater RSPB in the Lake District. When to visit, where to watch, and the story of how ospreys returned to England after 150 years.
The Haweswater Golden Eagle: England's Last Wild Breeding Attempt
1 February 2026
The story of the last golden eagle at Haweswater in the English Lake District. Its history, why it failed to breed, and what the future holds for golden eagle recovery in England.