Introduction
The Lake District is one of the most spectacular National Parks in the UK, a stunning landscape of rugged fells and serene lakes and tarns. The pictorial guides of Alfred Wainwright, published during the 1950’s and 1960’s, were an inspiration to fell-walkers and lovers of the great outdoors, describing the principal fells in beautiful detail and capturing the essence of Lakeland.
Coupled with the outstanding scenery is a wealth of wildlife, particularly birds, thriving in a diverse array of habitats within the National Park and the nearby Cumbrian coast and the rocky headland of St. Bees Head and one of the premier RSPB Reserves at Leighton Moss.
Join your Natural Links leaders, Dave Fairlamb and Graeme Ruthven, to experience the beauty and grandeur of this unique part of the UK and enjoy the comfort of Tweedies Lodge, situated in the heart of Grasmere, a beautiful village, quoted by William Wordsworth as `the loveliest spot that man hath ever known’.
Tweedies Lodge
Set in 3 acres of mature gardens and described as `more than a Hotel, it is the ultimate place to escape’, the Lodge boasts luxury bedrooms and a comfy lounge, with seasonal menus, culinary delights, sharing platters and familiar home-cooked favourites. The adjacent Tweedies Bar has been shortlisted for Pub of the Year 2024 by Cumbrian Tourism Awards and has a beautiful pub garden with panoramic hilltop views. Check-in time is from 3pm.
Birdwatching and other Wildlife
The famous Lakes are a magnet for many species of birds, with breeding Little & Great Crested Grebes, Goosander, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Greylag Geese and always the chance of Osprey. The rivers and streams that flow into the lakes are a favourite haunt of Dipper, Grey & Pied Wagtails and Common Sandpiper with neighbouring marshlands home to Lapwing, Common Snipe, Redshank and Curlew. Though elusive, Otters are resident in the region and a sighting of one of these enigmatic mammals can live long in the memory.
The forests and woodlands of the Lake District remain of one the last strongholds of the Red Squirrel in England and they are also home to Roe Deer and a few Red Deer, which also roam the fells. Birds are plentiful, especially in the broadleaved woodlands, with both Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Common Redstart, Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler, all present by spring, as well as resident Treecreeper, Nuthatch and both Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
The fells are full of bird song in spring, with Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Wheatear all on territory on the open ground, with the hedgerows and scrub of the fellsides favoured by Linnet, Whinchat, Common Whitethroat, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. This is also the domain of Brown Hare, Fox, Stoat and Weasel.
As well as Ospreys, there are several other bird of prey species to see including Peregrine, Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, and the occasional Merlin, as well as nocturnal specialists, Tawny Owl and Barn Owl.
St. Bees Head on the Cumbrian coast holds the only cliff-nesting seabird colony in the whole of the north-west of England with over 5,000 seabirds present in the spring and summer, including Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmars, Cormorant, Kittiwake and a few pairs of Black Guillemot and occasional Puffin. Peregrine and Raven are often seen patrolling the cliffs, with the possibility of skuas offshore and the gorse scrub has breeding Stonechat, Linnet and Common Whitethroat.
Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve provides a fitting finale to our holiday. The reedbeds hold breeding Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Bearded Tit, Cetti’s, Reed & Sedge Warblers. Ospreys can fish the open water and the shallow pools attract passage waders such as Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Ruff and Green & Wood Sandpipers. It is also one of the best sites in northern England to see Marsh Tit, often visiting the bird feeding stations, along with Nuthatch.
Provisional Programme
Tuesday 22 April
Guests arrive at Tweedies Lodge from 3pm Check-in time onwards.
Late Afternoon: Meet your leaders, Dave Fairlamb and Graeme Ruthven in the reception area of the Lodge followed by a relaxed birdwatching stroll from 4pm to 6pm along the valley of Easedale.
Wednesday 23 April
All Day: Loughrigg Fell, Rydal Water, Rydal Mount & Ambleside
All Day Alternative: Loughrigg Terrace, Rydal Water, Rydal Mount & Ambleside
Both groups will start out together and after parting at Loughrigg Terrace, will meet up again at Rydal Mount and walk on to Ambleside. Return to Grasmere via local bus service (bus fare included in cost of holiday)
Thursday 24 April
Morning: Bassenthwaite, Dodd Wood and Whinlatter Forest
Afternoon: St. Bees Head RSPB Reserve
Friday 25 April
Morning: Silver How
Morning: Grasmere Lakeside
Afternoon: Free Time and your chance to explore the delightful village of Grasmere or venture further afield.
Saturday 26 April
Morning into Afternoon: From Waterhead Pier at Ambleside, a short cruise around the northern part of Windermere Lake, followed by time ashore at Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre and surrounding woodland/grounds and return via launch to Waterhead (cruise included in cost of holiday)
Sunday 27 April
Morning into early Afternoon: Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve. Holiday finishes at this location between 2 and 3pm (entry free to RSPB members, entry currently £9 per person for non-members which is not included in cost of holiday
The tariff for Wildlife & Walking in Wainwright Country
Double Room for 2 sharing is £995 per person
Twin Room for 2 sharing (1 available) is £995 per person
Single Occupancy of a Double Room is £1,095 per person
The price includes VAT, and covers:
• 5 night’s accommodation at Tweedies Lodge
• 5 x Breakfasts
• 5 x Packed Lunches
• All Birdwatching/Nature guiding by Natural Links
• Evening Presentations & Quizzes by Natural Links
• Boat Cruise on Lake Windermere
• Bus fare return to Grasmere from Ambleside
Not included in the price:
• Evening Meals (this gives us the flexibility to either dine at Tweedies restaurant on site at Tweedies Lodge with costs chargeable to your rooms or dine at other inns/restaurants, especially on car travelling days around the Lake District)
• Entrance to Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve (free to RSPB Members)
Terms & Conditions
Payment Schedule
Deposit of £275 per person to secure booking and payable on receipt of booking confirmation from Natural Links.
Outstanding Balance to be paid by 31 January 2025
Cancellations
Due to special group rates secured with the Hotel and Natural Links, cancellations can only be made up to the day before the outstanding balance is due, 31 January 2025, with £250 deposit per person either returned or used as credit towards future Natural Links events/holidays bookings.
Changes to Itinerary
The itinerary stated above is provisional as factors outside the control of Natural Links may result in changes to the itinerary.
Travel in the Lake District
We courteously ask guests to car-share for travel around birdwatching sites in the Lake District.