Birds on the Foreshore

Martin Jordan, one of Keswick's Town Councillors, and a regular visitor to the Foreshore, tells us a bit about some of the birds that can be seen on Derwentwater.

The Foreshore provides a wonderful opportunity to see birds from close quarters.

  

Many water birds come close to the shore to be fed, and even if you know very little about birds, you are very likely to see lots of mallards as well as Canada geese and Greylag geese, and maybe even a Muscovy duck. If you spend a bit of time looking further out into the lake, you may even see diving ducks such as Goosanders and Mergansers, diving birds which are often seen with their heads underwater, swimming for food.

 

 

Other water birds which can be seen include moorhen and coot. If you cross the lake on the Keswick Launch, you may see a cormorant drying its wings on a rock. Martin often sees a Grey Heron close to Lords Island, and last year, was lucky enough to see a pair of Great Crested Grebe who had constructed a floating nest not far from the Isthmus, along from Crow Park.

In the woodlands of Friars Crag and Cockshott Wood, you can often hear a Great Spotted Woodpecker tapping the trees for grubs with its beak. There are many different species of woodland bird that can be spotted, including goldcrest, nuthatch and treecreeper.

All you need is a bit of patience and time to sit quietly, and you are guaranteed to see some of the special wildlife that makes Derwentwater its home.

The Foreshore Project has put together some easy to spot bird and flower species cards. Pop into the National Trust shop on the Foreshore and pick one up!