Ospreys at Esthwaite Water
Each spring, wild ospreys return to Esthwaite Water from West Africa to fish and raise their young. With a wingspan of nearly five feet, they’re incredible to watch as they dive for trout across the lake. They stay through summer before migrating south again in September — a true highlight of the Lake District.
SELF DRIVE BOAT CRUISE / OSPREY SAFARI
Perfect if you only have an hour to spare. Take a cruise in one of our electric boats and experience the tranquility of Esthwaite.
• 1 persons : £25
• 2 persons : £30
• 3 persons : £35
• 4 persons : £40
• Discount for multiple hours
• All safety equipment and induction included.
• We can supply a guide for £20 per hour if booked in advance.
Osprey Nests in the Vicinity
We have three osprey nests in the Esthwaite valley, including one just 900m from our café on the lakeshore. The abundance of birds and our annual stocking of 10,000 pounds of quality brown trout make Esthwaite a true magnet for these magnificent raptors.
Throughout the breeding season there’s always plenty of live fish available, which helps explain the high density of ospreys here. We start stocking brown trout on 15th March, a couple of weeks before the ospreys arrive, continuing at 1,000 pounds per week for 10 weeks. The stocked fish stay near the surface, providing rich meals during mating, egg sitting, and chick rearing in May.
By July and August, as chicks begin to fledge, coarse fish start spawning near the surface, offering an easy alternative food source. As the water warms, fishing becomes tougher and is best during mornings and evenings when fish rise closer to the surface.