Local Wildlife

The Lake District's stunning scenery of high fells and valley lakes contains a very wide range of wildlife some of which is unique in England. It is home to the Red Squirrel, nesting Golden Eagles and Ospreys.

Thousands of geese, ducks and swans live on the lakes with thousands more coming over in the winter months including goldeneye and red-breasted merganser.

In Wythop Wood, above The Pheasant you will find an abundance of wildlife with the presence of roe deer, badgers and rabbits and locals have even seen a Pine Martin and of course that rare bird of prey the Osprey.

Bassenthwaite Lake, as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve, is home to a number of species of wildlife. There are six National Nature Reserves in the Lake District as well as 100 sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The Cumbria Wildlife Trust looks after over 40 nature reserves across Cumbria as well as working to protect species and habitats in the wider countryside, especially those listed in Cumbria's Biodiversity Action Plan. These include red squirrels, water voles, bats, natter jack toads, dragonflies and tarns.

Read our blog about Viewing the Osprey at Bassenthwaite.