Eagles at Haweswater! (1 Viewer)

[pete seaman]

The "official" line with reintroduction is that there is no point introducing birds if they won't form a self sustaining population: the Lake District is not judged to have sufficient ranges to hold a self sustaining population.

If there is contact between the Lake District and other populations then the self sustaining caveat doesn't apply, but then if there is contact then new birds should arrive in the Lakes of their own volition.

However...

All the studies I've see relate to the Lake District only and not a wider Northern England population, which given the range of Golden Eagles should be encompassed into the total potential ranges.

The new introduction project in the south of Scotland http://www.goldeneaglessouthofscotland.co.uk/ has a target number of pairs well below the 20 pair threshold deemed self sustaining in the Lakes. So may be the goalposts are moving. Plus if successful the south of Scotland birds offer a source of Lakes birds.

Thanks for the link to the Scottish reintroduction scheme Mono,we heard about this a few weeks ago while talking to the locals while on holiday in the Galloway area.
As for considering a similar scheme in Northern England after reading Dave Walkers book I'm not sure anyone is willing to consider it.

 

[Nutcracker]

However...

All the studies I've see relate to the Lake District only and not a wider Northern England population, which given the range of Golden Eagles should be encompassed into the total potential ranges.

No doubt it's been looked into, and they know perfectly well that any eagles released elsewhere in northern England would all be shot or poisoned within a few weeks :storm:

 

[pratincol]

Thanks for the info. I knew there had to be an obvious reason that I wasn't considering. I haven't visited the Lake District since I was a child so I'm not familiar with the area. It does seem a shame though that some sort of reintroduction program hasn't been attempted particularly when you think of what's been achieved with Ospreys, Red Kites and White Tailed Eagles.

A curate's egg,the Lake District!
I live right on the edge-a 5 minute walk from the boundary.
It suffers from over disturbance by walkers,fell runners,mountain bikers,dogs,school parties,military training groups, and Uncle John Cobbley and all. Some of the fells are denuded of any useful habitats due to overgrazing.
There are ,however, some wonderful bird watching locations on the edge of the National Park or just outside the boundary..
Most good bird watching areas within the National park are seldom visited and rewilding schemes have taken place - or they weren't ruined in the first place.
I know a Lake District valley seven miles from my house where I can see breeding Whinchat,Stonechat,Pied Flycatcher,Cuckoo,Curlew,Common Snipe,Dipper,Buzzard,Raven,Kestrel,Yellowhamer,Reed Bunting,Siskin,Redpoll,Common Snipe,Willow Warbler,Barn Owl and House Martin.
The farmer refused to put up a sign post off the main road because he didn't want it overrun with walkers.
It paid off.I visit once a week between May and August.In an average year I will see about 10 people there ,in total, all Summer.

 

[danevansBOP]

went down to hawswater yesterday as I heard the weather was going to be nice, which it was.

I got there for about 8am in hopping that I would catch him at first light.

Unfortunately I didn't get to see him but was a lovely day. Buzzards were everywhere, seen 1 or 2 kestrels and eventually seen my first peregrine. Wasn't such a bad day

 

[pete seaman]

went down to hawswater yesterday as I heard the weather was going to be nice, which it was.

I got there for about 8am in hopping that I would catch him at first light.

Unfortunately I didn't get to see him but was a lovely day. Buzzards were everywhere, seen 1 or 2 kestrels and eventually seen my first peregrine. Wasn't such a bad day

Yeah well that's as good as it gets sometimes,could be a lot worse.It is not unknown for us to visit a local raptor viewpoint and see nowt all day,good places for seeing nothing though !!

 

[danevansBOP]

Yeah well that's as good as it gets sometimes,could be a lot worse.It is not unknown for us to visit a local raptor viewpoint and see nowt all day,good places for seeing nothing though !!

I know. It was amazing. The first time I've been in ages! I still haven't seen the big boy yet so I have to go back. I just want this camera sorted as there where some perfect opportunities to get some amazing shots. I won't give up till I see him!!

 

[pratincol]

I know. It was amazing. The first time I've been in ages! I still haven't seen the big boy yet so I have to go back. I just want this camera sorted as there where some perfect opportunities to get some amazing shots. I won't give up till I see him!!

You will need a powerful telescopic lens-the sort they use at Jodrell Bank!
I only ever went once and I only live down the road.
It was so distant you could just make it out through a highly magnified scope.
Still a distant shot is better than nothing-another bird to tick off.

 

[cheshirebirder]

Jodrell Bank isn't an optical telescope , it's a radio telescope ☺

 

[danevansBOP]

You will need a powerful telescopic lens-the sort they use at Jodrell Bank!
I only ever went once and I only live down the road.
It was so distant you could just make it out through a highly magnified scope.
Still a distant shot is better than nothing-another bird to tick off.

We will have to see. I hear he comes close to the car park and stuff. My best chance will be when he is doing sky dancing as that will be when he is at his lowest.

 

[pratincol]

Best of luck.
If there is any particular species you want to photo you can always ask a question for specific locations.
There may be somewhere better for Golden eagles than Haweswater

 

[danevansBOP]

I would love to know. Would be amazing but people seem to be very secretive of locations, which I understand. But if anyone would private message me some decent locations that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pete seaman]

Jodrell Bank isn't an optical telescope , it's a radio telescope ☺

I think maybe Pratincol was adding a little humour in there,but whatever you need good optics to find the bird never mind photograph it.

 

[pete seaman]

I would love to know. Would be amazing but people seem to be very secretive of locations, which I understand. But if anyone would private message me some decent locations that would be greatly appreciated.

Not sure of anywhere else in Lake District Scotland is your best chance,Highland ans some Islands like Harris and Skye as well as Mull. I don't think many birders will even p.m. a location unless they know you.You could try try the Scottish Raptor Study Group pages which may give a general idea of area then it may be a matter of getting the boots dirty.

 

[Farnboro John]

We will have to see. I hear he comes close to the car park and stuff. My best chance will be when he is doing sky dancing as that will be when he is at his lowest.

You are extremely unlikely to see (let alone get a good view of) the "Haweswater" Golden Eagle from the car park. It is necessary to walk round the end of the lake and off into Riggindale, and even at the closest point to his abode in the valley that you can reach - the RSPB watchpoint - a scope is essential for good views.

Of course there is no restriction on the use of walkers paths along the ridges - Rough Crag is a good bet - but you must stick to the paths to avoid disturbing the eagle and it is a stiffish climb up from the car park. A good head for heights and of course, proper clothing and equipment including a map and compass and the ability to use them, even in these days of GPS apps, are essential.

Even then it is surprising how difficult finding a seven foot wingspan bird is in the huge landscape. The advantage of the RSPB watchpoint is that you are below the bird and he is silhouetted against the sky some of the time - much easier to spot.

John

 

[bob freeman]

I have walked all the hills that surround Riggindale on more than a few occasions and never had one Eagle sighting for my troubles,still a lovely fell walk though but.Been to the RSPB viewpoint about six times and always seen the bird on every visit with some really close views of the bird.
Don't know if the RSPB volunteers still man the place with their scopes etc but I remember one Polish Guy called Stefan if I remember rightly who knew of every perch and could usually put you straight onto the bird.
Only been to the viewpoint once in late Feb and took my own scope with me and had great views of Male Eagle in display flight but I suppose it really is down to luck on the day.

 

[pete seaman]

As both John and Bob say no real easy way to see the bird at Riggindale,I think I have only seen Eagles in that area about half a dozen times in many visits over more than thirty years.I have however seen plenty of other good birds in the area.Waiting in the car park area for him to pass over could be a long wait,it may pay to take on a tea and ice cream franchise to fill the time in. Good luck with your hunt.

 

[danevansBOP]

Yeah it's always difficult. The hid will be the best bet. Lovely place and walk regardless like yous said.

 

[Boom]

I have walked all the hills that surround Riggindale on more than a few occasions and never had one Eagle sighting for my troubles,still a lovely fell walk though but.Been to the RSPB viewpoint about six times and always seen the bird on every visit with some really close views of the bird.
Don't know if the RSPB volunteers still man the place with their scopes etc but I remember one Polish Guy called Stefan if I remember rightly who knew of every perch and could usually put you straight onto the bird.
Only been to the viewpoint once in late Feb and took my own scope with me and had great views of Male Eagle in display flight but I suppose it really is down to luck on the day.

Sadly Stefan is no longer with us, he was some character and had a great knowledge of the area and the birds.
The RSPB still man the viewpoint on weekends and Bank Holidays from the end of March until the end of August, 11am-4pm.
They usually aim to have it up and running by Good Friday

Cheers

 

[pete seaman]

Sadly Stefan is no longer with us, he was some character and had a great knowledge of the area and the birds.
The RSPB still man the viewpoint on weekends and Bank Holidays from the end of March until the end of August, 11am-4pm.
They usually aim to have it up and running by Good Friday

Cheers

Sad to hear about Stefan it was always a pleasure to talk with him especially about local wildlife

 

[Farnboro John]

A couple from May 2013 (I went up there after the Dambusters' 70th at Derwent Reservoir in the Peak District, walked the length of Rough Crag and was lucky enough to be talking to a walker with the eyes of a Peregrine who spotted the old boy circling up out in the valley).

Note the fact that though I was looking, knew what I was looking for and knew exactly where to look, it wasn't me that spotted the eagle!

John