Spotting animals in the Lake District
There are a lot of sheep in the Lake District ā including the hardy native Herdwick breed, much beloved of Beatrix Potter. But thatās not the only wildlife you can find in Cumbria if you know where to look.
A whole menagerie of local creatures!
Thereās a whole menagerie of common and lesser-spotted land, sea, lake and river creatures to be found all over the county ā native and non-native.
Alpacas, otters, red deer, birds of prey, seals, fell ponies ā even badgers that come out while youāre having a pint ā can all be seen. And letās not forget the shy and elusive red squirrel.
When youāre out and about spotting wildlife in the Lake District, there are a few things to bear in mind:
- Always keep your distance so you donāt scare the animals or cause them stress.
- Use binoculars or a scope for close-up viewing.
- And stay on marked paths where possible so you donāt damage fragile habitats.
What are you hoping to spot?
Wildlife attractions:
Where to see red squirrels
Grey squirrels can be spotted everywhere, but this non-native species has decimated the native red by moving into their habitats and eating all the food. Greys also spread the squirrelpox virus, which is lethal to the reds.
Happily, red squirrel numbers are now thriving again thanks to the efforts of organisations like Cumbria Wildlife and the National Trust, and there several places you might be lucky to catch sight of these adorable creatures ā Grizedale, Whinlatter, Dodd Wood and Haweswater, to name a few.
Have a read of our blog for our top five places to see red squirrels.
Where to see birds of prey
Look up. The bird of prey youāre most likely to see soaring above farmland and woodland hunting for small birds, mammals and carrion to eat is the buzzard. This medium-sized bird can be spotted all year round in greater numbers than ever before ā listen out for its distinctive mew.
Watch out also for red kites, sparrowhawks, kestrels, fast-flying goshawks, owls, peregrine falcons, ospreys, and ring ouzels as you travel around the county looking up at the skies.
We recommend you get yourself a spotters guide to help you identify what youāre looking at while youāre here.
Places to spot birds of prey
Places like Grizedale Forest, Helm Crag and Haweswater are all good places to spot birds of prey in the wild, but if you want to get bit closer, there are a few places you can visit.
The Hawk & Owl Centre
You can see a range of birds of prey up close at the Hawk & Owl Centre, and watch awe-inspiring flying displays in the flying arena.
See owls, hawks, falcons, vultures and eagles strutting their stuff and spreading their wings and learn more about the birds from the knowledgeable and experienced handlers.
Foulshaw Moss
Home to a pair of breeding ospreys who have returned each spring for the past 10 years to mate, Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve provides a safe haven for the birds, who have produced 27 chicks over the years. The best time to see them is between April and the end of August.
Perch on the viewing platform and use your own binoculars or the on-site telescope.
If you want to follow their progress when you get back home, there is a live Osprey Cam .
Ospreys can also be seen in Bassenthwaite ā look out for them in the skies above the lake.
Lake District Wildlife Park
You can see everything from an American bald eagle to a hooded vulture at the Lake District Wildlife Park near Keswick, and there are regular birds of prey displays too.
See black kites gather at the feeding station, meet Baldric & Farnham ā their pair of turkey vultures, say hello to Gonzo the hooded vulture, and look out for Scrumpy the tawny owl.
Where to see red deer
If you go down in the woods today, you might spot a red deer or two. The largest land mammal in the UK, these majestic russet-coloured animals favour forest and woodland, and the best place to see them is in Martindale, near Pooley Bridge, where thereās been a herd for over 300 years.
Go in rutting season (October) and listen out for the distinctive roar of the males. You can also see red deer in Ennerdale (plenty of the more common roe deer to see here too), Grizedale, and Haweswater.
Where to see red deer?
Where to spot an otter
These powerful predators will devour a wide range of prey, including fish, small mammals, frogs, birds, and even ducklings (sorry).
Otters are elusive creatures but there are several places in the Lake District you can catch a glimpse of them, usually along riverbanks ā look out for their five-toed footprints.
They are occasionally spotted along the banks of the River Kent in Kendal. They can also be seen at Derwentwater and bobbing about in Bassenthwaite lake.
Where to spot an otter?
Where to see seals
Home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria, South Walney Nature Reserve, a little bit out of the National Park near Barrow, is the place to see up to 500 seals at high tide all year round. They drag themselves to shore and chill out on the beach and rocks.
You canāt get too close to them so bring binoculars or view them from the wildlife hide that overlooks the beach. If youāre lucky, you might even spot some pups in the autumn. Thereās also a seal cam on the Cumbria Wildlife Trustās website if you want to see what theyāre up to after youāve got back home.
The reserve is also a birdwatcherās paradise, with sightings of eider ducks, oystercatchers, willow warblers, ringed plovers, waders, wildfowl, pink-footed geese, and many more to be had at various times of the year.
Where to see Fell ponies
You can usually see a herd of Fell ponies roaming on The Helm, above Kendal, where they do a great job of grazing on the grass to help nature conservation and clear the way for wild flowers to grow.
Native to the north and mostly found in Cumbria, this ancient hardy breed can also be seen tramping along the Ullswater Way, and high up on isolated Roundthwaite Common, near Tebay.
Where to see Fell ponies?
Where to see alpacas
Who doesnāt love alpacas? These gentle and friendly woolly wonders hail from Peru, but there are several places in Cumbria where you can see alpacas, learn about alpacas, pet alpacas and even take them for a walk. Here are a couple of our favourites.
Alpacaly Ever After
Thanks to Alpacaly Ever After, a social enterprise dedicated to re-homing unwanted alpacas, you can get up close and personal with these quirky animals.
Just a short drive from Keswick, near the western shore of Derwentwater is the Lingholm Estate, where you can meet and feed the resident alpaca herd ā weāve heard they quite enjoy a paddle in the lake too.
You can also book a walk with them through Whinlatter Forest or around the grounds of the Lingholm Estate and along the shores of Derwentwater.
Wreay Skye Alpacas
Based in Gatebeck, near Kendal, Wreay Syke Alpacas is home to several alpacas who love meeting and greeting their adoring public ā and receiving treats of course.
Alpaca trekking takes place at alpaca pace (slow) at weekends on The Helm, with its panoramic views over Kendal and the surrounding landscape.
Itās a lovely way to spend a couple of hours with your new woolly friends.
Badgers and beer at the Glen Rothay Hotel
Supping locally brewed ale and spotting badgers sounds like a good way to spend an evening to us. Part of the Glen Rothay Hotel, youāre going to love this cosy, traditional and friendly 400-year-old country pub. But weāre here to talk about the badgers.
As night falls the resident colony of badgers venture out into the grounds to feed ā keep quiet and you can usually get quite close to them.
Thereās also a live Badgercam you can watch ā tune in at dusk and you might spot them sniffing around.
Go wild at the Lake District Wildlife Park
Spread over 24 acres of beautiful parkland, more than 100 species of wild and domestic animals and birds are waiting to meet you at the Lake District Wildlife Park.
Lemurs, gibbons, meerkats, zebras, tapirs, birds of prey, capuchin monkeys, wildebeest, yaks, and red pandas, to name but a few. Conservation and education are close to the hearts of the dedicated staff, and there are keeper talks most days, telling you about the animals in their care.
The Lakes Aquarium
Over two floors at the Lakes Aquarium youāll find hundreds of incredible creatures from the Lake District and around the world, including diving ducks, blind cave fish and the amazing axolotl ā these awesome amphibians are able to regenerate their limbs, gills and parts of their eyes and brains. Pretty cool, eh?
You can combine your trip with a cruise on one of Windermereās steamers as the aquareium is at the Lakeside dock at the South end of the lake. Thereās also a steam train that runs to Haverthwaite so you can enjoy a ride to the tea room and playground on a tradition old locomotive.
Discover more of the Lake District
With weekly articles highlighting the very best of the Lake District, there’s always something to get you inspired for your next trip!
If you’d like to be the first to hear of our guides, all our new property listings, events around the lakes, and our last-minute deals…
More things to do in the Lake District
Ambleside dog walks
From woodland wanders to lakeside ambles and hilly hikes, there are plenty of walks to do with your furry friend from Ambleside.
Coniston boat trips and boat hire
Glide across the shimmering waters, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, captivated by the beauty and tranquilly of this idyllic lake
Keswick boat trips and boat hire
You canāt beat the peace and tranquillity of being out on the water, and there are few places better to do it than on Derwentwater
OurĀ top 4 Staveley walks – from meanders to mountains
Staveley is a charming village surrounded by some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes in England, a perfect spot for walking!
Visiting the Lake District in August
The Lake District will be busy in August, so, if you love a bit of a buzz to your country escape, join the millions of visitors in the know…
Visiting the Lake District in July
Come when the weather is warmer, the daylight hours are long, and the rain is not so frequent ā just donāt expect to have it all to yourself.
