GRASMERE/RYDAL WATER
This is a wonderful walk, full of William and Dorothy Wordsworth’s landscape, as their former home is found at Grasmere. It takes in two large waters, woodland, parkland and wetland, offering you a good mix of birds and other wildlife. It is best to start early or late in the day, to miss the crowds.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 You can start this walk in the village of Grasmere, walking west around the mere to a minor road, which takes you south past willow swamp and Alder. You can scan the mere for various ducks and swans.
2 Check the large island for breeding Grey Herons from February onwards. You should also find them around the base of the island as well. Look through the flock of Tufted Ducks for possible Pochard (so rare now), and even Ring-necked Duck, once seen here.
3 Scan the shoreline for waders such as Common Sandpiper in summer, and look for Pied Wagtail in winter. The thick bracken slopes will hold Woodcock in winter and an evening walk may even allow you to hear that wonderful ‘roding’ sound of a bird displaying.
4 Rydal gives you another chance to look for wildfowl like Greylag and Canada Geese. Check for grebes, with both Great Crested and Little possible. Both Coot and Moorhen use the area. Look out for a passing Osprey, with nine pairs now breeding in Cumbria.
5 Some wonderful woodland can be found around these waters, so listen out for Wood Warbler in spring. Scan for Redstarts, and look to see if you can find Pied Flycatcher. Autumn sees flocks of tits moving through, so look for Marsh Tit and even Treecreeper among them.
6 Crossing the busy A591 you now walk back through parkland, with open trees and grassland. Listen out for the yaffle of Green Woodpecker, and the movement of Jays carrying acorns in autumn. Check the fells for soaring raptors, with Buzzard and Sparrowhawk likely.