Birds

Some historical sources provide a more local perspective, particularly for birds of prey. White-tailed Eagles and Golden Eagles were common over these fells until around 1790. 

In 1709, Ullswater was described as a stronghold for the Red Kite but it was persecuted to extinction. The last bird of Lakeland stock was shot in 1840 and donated to Carlisle Museum.  Following on from successful re-introductions in the south of England, 90 Red Kites were released into Cumbria's Grizedale Forest between 2010 and 2013. There is now a thriving population there and frequent sightings in other parts of Cumbria. The DEFRA report, mentioned above, shows a population increase (nationally) of 487% since 1994, so it shouldn't be long before we see them back around Ullswater.  

W R Philipson, a Headmaster of Patterdale School, was a very enthusiastic bird watcher and kept detailed notes of his walks around the dale during the 1920’s to the 1940’s. He eventually published a book in 1948 entitled ‘Birds of a Valley’. The style of the book is narrative, not scientific, but it does reveal some interesting details that we can relate to the present day. He comments on the rarity of the Magpie (which it still is), the total absence of Jays (reasonable numbers now) and Starlings being quite common (now a definite rarity in the dale). Kingfishers also seemed to be a more frequent sight on Goldrill Beck, as were Peregrine Falcons on the crags.