Osprey watching in the Lake District

Be at one with nature this year and head to the stunning Western Lake District, where fabulous ospreys nesting near Bassenthwaite Lake now have a brand new audience in which to strike awe and wonder, thanks to the creation of a new Osprey Bus. Ospreys are such a rare sight in England that over 500,000 people have headed up to one of Cumbria’s most beautiful lakes to watch the nesting, chick-rearing and feeding behaviour of Mr and Mrs No-Ring.

Mr No-Ring has nested near Bassenthwaite since 2001 and has recently returned, from Africa, to meet up with the female he mated with in 2007. Last year they raised three chicks here, but this year’s number is not yet known as the birds are still incubating eggs. He and his mate of 2001 were the first wild ospreys to breed in the Lake District for over 150 years.

These spectacular, fish-eating birds of prey are a dramatic sight in the sky, thanks to a wing-span of nearly five feet. They were extinct as a breeding species in the UK between 1916 and 1954 and are the fourth rarest bird of prey in Britain today.

When they dive into Bassenthwaite to catch fish, it tends to set cameras clicking, as they can catch and carry fish up to one kilogram in weight, flying whilst holding the prey. Mr No-Ring has already been seen taking a tasty, romantic fish supper back to the Missus.

The nearest main accommodation centre to the lake, high above which the ospreys nest, is the award-winning market town of Keswick. A brand new bus link is now allowing visitors and day-trippers to hop aboard the Osprey Bus and head off osprey spotting, thanks to Heritage Lottery funding for the Bassenthwaite Reflections programme.

The Osprey Bus departs off from Keswick on a round-the-lake route, taking in two important osprey locations – the Whinlatter Exhibition and the Dodd View viewpoint.

At the Forestry Commission's Whinlatter Visitor Centre, there is an Osprey exhibition and the chance to ask questions about the ospreys, which are expertly answered by the Osprey Project staff. The exhibition is open from 10am to 5pm, at the time the ospreys are nesting – usually April to the end of August. There is also delicious, homemade food available in the Siskins Café, which can be eaten whilst enjoying great views of Grizedale Pike.

Whinlatter visitors can also visit the forest shop, spend time in the children’s play area, or outdoor picnic site, or head off on a number of forest walks. There is also England’s highest Go Ape aerial assault course, for those wishing to swing through the trees, and the Lake District’s longest purpose-built mountain bike trail will open later this year.

For those leaving the Osprey Bus at Dodd View, there is the opportunity to watch the ospreys fishing in the lake, as well as seeing red squirrels and a variety of woodland birds. Viewing in Dodd Wood is from an open-air viewing platform and there are helpful and knowledgeable staff on hand, seven days a week, 10am-5pm, to August 31.

During most days, the ospreys can be seen fishing, sitting, flying and washing, with viewing through high powered telescopes available, although people are urged to bring their own binoculars.

Dodd Wood also has appetising home bakes and snacks at the Old Sawmill Tearoom and a network of forest walks start at its car park. These run through some huge Douglas Fir trees and there are also access routes on to Skiddaw. The top of Dodd is a heaven for photographers, offering 360-degree views.

There is no charge for either the Whinlatter or Dodd View facility, although car park charges apply at both locations. To avoid costs, and travel in a more eco-sympathetic way, visitors can catch the Osprey Bus every Saturday and Sunday to July 20 and then daily until August 31. The bus will also run between May 26-30.

The Osprey Bus has six daily lake circuits, taking alternative anti-clockwise and clockwise routes and offers both scheduled stops and hail and ride services and a cycle rack.

To find out more about the Bassenthwaite ospreys, visit Ospreywatch.co.uk from where a PDF of the Osprey Bus timetable can also be downloaded.

The Lake District Osprey Project is a partnership between The Forestry Commission, the RSPB and the Lake District National Park Authority.