Osprey Safari

Osprey Safari The Osprey Safari is a self drive or guided Boat trip around beautiful Esthwaite Water to view our spectacular resident Ospreys when in season.

The First week of April to the first week of September. However thats not all there is to do at Esthwaite. Esthwaite is nestled between the larger lakes of Windermere and Coniston water, with the pretty village of Hawkshead at its northern tip, and Beatrix Potter's home village of Near Sawrey at its southern tip. It is primarily a Private Fishery and as such is devoid of the hustle and bustle of t

he other more commercial lakes providing a haven for wildlife. Indeed in a recent survey by Natural England, Esthwaite was found to be one of the most diverse lakes in the Lake district, the star of which is our wonderful Ospreys. We also have a wonderful licensed cafe (The Boathouse Cafe) with a live video stream directly from one of our nests, pay and display parking, toilet facilities, picnic area and beautiful walks. Some prefer just to sit with a glass of wine and wait for an Osprey to pass by, it is not unusual to see an Osprey catch a fish from the cafe terrace. We have three nests in the Esthwaite valley including one 900m from our cafe on the lake shore. The abundance of birds in the area and our stocking of 10,000 pounds of quality brown trout each year makes Esthwaite a magnet for these magnificent raptors. Throughout the breeding season there is always an abundance of live fish options for the birds, probably one of the reason for the density in the area. We start stocking with brown trout 15/03, a couple of weeks before the ospreys arrival and continue at the rate of 1000 pound per week for 10 weeks. Initially the stocked fish will stay in the upper layers of the lake providing high protein meals during mating, egg sitting and chick arrival
in the middle of May. About this time our coarse fish start spawning near the surface providing an alternative easy meal. As the water warms through July and August when the the chicks are fledging fishing gets tougher and is somewhat restricted to mornings and evenings when fish are closer to the surface. This is when we see the adults taking turns to fly down to North Morecambe Bay returning with mullet and flatties. Once the chicks have fledged

31/05/2026

Just had a look on the camera and was surprised to see the female now feeding three chicks

A few pics from this mornings guided trip
30/05/2026

A few pics from this mornings guided trip

30/05/2026

more good news chick number two has arrived this morning

28/05/2026

I can now report a confirmed sighting of what is hopefully our first chick, it was seen today on the cafe tv screen fingers crossed there will be more to follow in the next few days.

A few pictures from this morning no confirmed signs of chicks yet but I would expect some news shortly , (watch this spa...
26/05/2026

A few pictures from this morning no confirmed signs of chicks yet but I would expect some news shortly , (watch this space)

another stick for the nest
27/04/2026

another stick for the nest

The female having some time out from incubation duties
27/04/2026

The female having some time out from incubation duties

you've had your bath and collected another stick you are looking forward to a quite evening and this noisy so and so has...
26/04/2026

you've had your bath and collected another stick you are looking forward to a quite evening and this noisy so and so has to come and spoil it

nothing like a good spin dry after a bath
26/04/2026

nothing like a good spin dry after a bath

19/04/2026

PLEASE NOTE if you require any info regarding trips or boat hire etc please don't leave messages on this site as it is not monitered on a regular basis and I don't want you to think you are being ignored we value your custom and don't want you to miss out so please ring the fishery on 07553316097 where a member of our team will be able to help you
Thank you

Address

The Boathouse
Hawkshead
LA220QF

Telephone

+441539436541

Website

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