A bird watcher’s paradise In winter there are up to More than 70 different kinds of birds 1,000 birds on the lake. breed around the lake in the summer. Tufted duck, teal, goldeneye, coot, pochard, mallard and Lapwing wigeon feed on submerged Willow Redstart warbler waterplants, seeds and insects in the shallow water The woodland fringes are home at the southern end. The best view is from the public hide to redstarts willow warblers , near Powter How. and redpolls. Oystercatchers come inland Redpoll to breed before returning Oystercatcher to the coast. Look for them Snipe on the open stony shores.

Great crested grebe Common sandpipers, locally known as ‘willy wickets’ arrive from Africa in April. You might be lucky to see the ‘floating’ nest of the great Teal Red-breasted crested grebe, or a red-breasted Common sandpiper merganser merganser nest under a bush or Goldeneye fallen tree.

The osprey returns Grasshopper Dodd Wood warbler This open air nest viewpoint is three miles Until 2001, these magnificent north of Keswick off the A591. Follow signs to birds of prey hadn’t nested in Mirehouse from the A66. Walk 20 minutes uphill from England since the 1830s. the Mirehouse car park. Open all daylight hours. Staff The Lake District Osprey Sedge from the Osprey Project partnership will be on hand Reed Partnership built a nest warbler with telescopes from 10am to 5am every day from bunting platform above the lake to April to August. From here you can see the nest from encourage them back. a safe distance. You can hear the wistful ‘teu’ of We hope they continue reed buntings and the rhythmic to breed here. Nestcam Whinlatter Visitor Centre ‘churring’ of reed warblers, as Nestcam on the web at www.ospreywatch.co.uk A video link relays pictures from the nest to the Forestry well as sedge warblers and grasshopper warblers in the Reed and www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria Commission’s Visitor Centre, north west of Keswick. warbler Join the Osprey Project on Twitter@lakesospreys reed beds and rank grass.

Bassenthwaite Lake Lake District National Park Bassenthwaite Lake National Nature Reserve A lake users’ guide

With its world renowned landscape, WELCOME the National Park is for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future. hundreds From Africa to the Arctic, It needs a prosperous economy, world class of birds including the osprey, visitor experiences and vibrant communities, which sustain the spectacular landscape. migrate to Bassenthwaite Lake Everyone involved in running England’s largest National Nature Reserve. and much loved National Park is committed to: Fish such as Atlantic salmon and sea lampreys come to spawn in the lake and its tributaries. • respecting the past We own and manage the lake to protect this fragile habitat. It remains a haven for wildlife because much • caring for the present of the shoreline is private and you need permission • planning for the future to use the lake. A lake in the balance This beautiful, fragile habitat is under threat from: Lake District National Park Authority

• pollution Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal • too much silt entering the lake Cumbria, LA9 7RL • invading plant and fish species. Phone: 01539 724555, Fax: 01539 740822 The Still Waters, Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Minicom: 01539 792690 Programme continues to do something about Email: [email protected] Discover these desperate problems. The partners who work Website: www.lakedistrict.gov.uk with us to protect the lake include: Natural England, Illustrations by: Bob Henfrey, Jonathan Hicks, Julian Kirk, Jane Pape Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, National Cover: Emma Moody Explore Trust and United Utilities. The amount of silt entering Bassenthwaite has Share the doubled in the past 50 years. Inspireexperience As well as tackling phosphate levels, we work with landowners to prevent silting by reducing erosion caused by overgrazing. Alternative formats

To find out more about the programme and how can be sent to you. paper recycled on Printed you can help, contact the Environment Agency Call 01539 724555

on 08708 506 506. 03/14/CD/HHR/10K number Publication Alternative formats Alternative formats can be sent to you. can be sent to you. Call 01539 724555 Call 01539 724555