KEY POINTS

1 Leave the M6 for the services and drive to the edge of the lake to scan the reservoir from here. Check out the gull colony for rare gulls nesting.

2 To see the rest of the lake, leave the M6 at junction 37 for Sedburgh. Travel along the A684 taking the first right onto a minor road dropping down to the 2nd right by the reservoir.

3 Scan the shallow area for ducks and waders and look across the open fields for breeding waders. 4 Scan the deeper water for diving ducks and check the gulls for terns on passage in the spring. Look for raptors sitting in the trees as Ospreys pass through in spring and autumn.

5 Drive back along the minor road south, checking for owls and harriers as you go.