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Today was our last full day in the Lake District. After visiting Dodds Wood on Tuesday searching for red squirrels we decided to come back here as it was such a lovely area and in the hope of perhaps seeing some osprey.

On the way to Dodds Wood we stopped off at a village which is well known in the Lake District, this was Grasmere. Here was had a look round, enjoyed the surrounding hills and, of course, brought some Grasmere gingerbread. Below are some photos that I took around Grasmere.

We then carried on to Dodds Wood, which isn’t far from Keswick. Once there, we made our way up to the first Osprey viewing point. We came here on Tuesday but today there was a lot more people, volunteers and spotting scopes set up. We didn’t see any red squirrels this time but we did see some osprey and the nest they have here which is by Bassenthwaite Lake. We then made our way up to the second Osprey Viewpoint which was another 30 minute, uphill walk away but once there it was worth it as the views were wonderful! There were spotting scopes set up here too and we managed to get a better view of the Ospreys nest. The visitors and volunteers there were all looking out to see if they could spot one of the pair about. It was brilliant to see an Osprey as this was the first time I’d ever seen one. It was very far away and I wasn’t able to get a very good photo. The bird which I first got to see also had a fish which it had caught. Both birds then became more present and one sat by the nest. There are camera pointing at the nest and you can see screenshots which are updated every few seconds online. I felt very privileged to seen an osprey as they are a rare sight in the UK. Since my trip, I have been following the Ospreys progress and a few days after I made this visit the first egg hatched. You can read more about the Lake District Osprey Project here – http://www.ospreywatch.co.uk/wordpress/

                                       Ever wondered how big an Ospreys nest is?

 Here’s an unusual position swallows nest, it was in the roof of a petrol station!

 Here I have circled where the Ospreys nest was, it was very far away so quite different to photograph it and the birds.  

Here’s a photo that I took through one of the spotting scopes, it isn’t the best quality but you can just work out the bird at the bottom.

Last week I spent five days in the Lake District. On the second day of our trip we went on the hunt for red squirrels. On the way to our first red squirrel destination we visited the popular tourist attraction which was Windermere, here I took some photos of the lovely views.

The first place place we visited looking for red squirrels was a cafe called Squirrel’s Pantary in Cockermouth. Here we sat down and enjoyed some afternoon tea, the cafe featured on BBC Springwatch a few years ago because of it’s rare visitors. Unfortunately though we didn’t see any. Here’s a link to the cafes website – http://www.photographers-resource.co.uk/Wildlife/locations/mammals/LG/Squirrels_Pantry.htm

We didn’t give up there though, we were back on the road and off to a place called Dodds Wood which was recommended to us as a good place to see the reds. Dodds Wood, near Keswich, towers over Bassenthwaite Lake and has unrivaled views from Derwent Water to the South and to the hills of Dumfries and Galloway. Once we’d parked we followed the long trek up to the first Osprey Viewpoint, although it was hard work it was well worth it to see such spectacular views! Ospreys are also seen from the viewpoint as they have a nest along Bassenthwaite Lake and they can also been seen fishing in the lake too but we didn’t see any Osprey. As soon as we arrived at the viewing point though, I saw a Red Squirrel which was very exciting! Altogether we saw two different reds and I even managed to get some photos too! I have seen red squirrels before but this was about five years ago in the Isle of Wright. It was a real treat to see them here though! You can read more about the Ospreys and other wildlife at Dodds Wood here on there website –        

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Here are some photos that I took.

The views over Windermere.

 Walking through Dodds Wood.

  The view from the Osprey viewing point at Dodds Wood.

   As you can see, they weren’t the most photogenic red squirrels.

 A road sign near the Squirrel’s pantry cafe, not very often is it that you see road signs like this!