RSPB Haweswater

Haweswater is a reservoir in the south-eastern corner of the Lake District National Park, supplying around 25% of the drinking water for the Manchester area. The surrounding nature reserve is managed by the RSPB in partnership with the landowner, United Utilities. Together, they are working to enhance the landscape for wildlife, water quality, and people.

Covering 30 square kilometres, the reserve encompasses a dramatic upland landscape of heathland, moorland, wildflower meadows, ancient woodland, peat bogs, rivers, and streams.

A careful process of rewilding has taken place across the site. This includes reducing sheep grazing, planting over 100,000 native trees to restore woodland cover, encouraging the return of upland flora, and restoring natural river flows to slow water movement and reduce erosion. The site also remains a working landscape, with small-scale farming and a flock of Cheviot sheep, a herd of Belted Galloway cattle, and fell ponies that help manage vegetation through grazing.

The rugged crags are home to ring ouzels, ravens, and jackdaws, while the woodlands echo with the calls of great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, goldcrests, jays, linnets, redpolls, siskins, blackcaps, pied flycatchers, and stock doves. In spring, the distinctive call of the returning cuckoo can often be heard across the valleys.

Along the streams, look out for dippers and grey wagtails. The reservoir itself plays host to a variety of waterfowl, including great crested grebes, coots, herons, pochards, mallards, goldeneyes, and tufted ducks. The wetlands provide feeding grounds for waders such as common sandpipers, snipes, curlews, and woodcocks. In summer, swifts, swallows, and house martins skim low over the water, scooping up insects and taking quick sips. Come winter, tens of thousands of gulls gather to roost on the lake, an impressive sight at dusk and, on moonlit nights. Winter also brings flocks of fieldfares and redwings from northern Europe.

The meadows support species like whinchats, wheatears, meadow pipits, skylarks, and yellowhammers. Birds of prey are a regular sight, with merlins, peregrine falcons, buzzards, and tawny owls hunting over the grasslands.

Haweswater was once the only known nesting site of golden eagles in England. For 40 years, a pair bred here until the last remaining male died in 2015. Sadly, no golden eagles have been seen in the area since.
Beyond birds, the reserve is home to a range of other notable wildlife, including red squirrels, wild salmon, red deer, mountain ringlet butterflies, and a variety of rare mosses and lichens.

There are markedpublic footpaths across the reserve, but visitors should be aware that the terrain is steep, rugged, and often uneven. Walks can be physically demanding, so come prepared. There are no visitor facilities such as toilets, hides, or a café, so it’s advisable to bring a packed lunch, a map, warm clothing, and waterproofs.

The RSPB runs a variety of events throughout the year, including dawn chorus walks, forest bathing, and art workshops. From April to October, a badger hide offers a rare opportunity to observe these shy, nocturnal animals at close range within the Lake District.

The main visitor car park is located at Mardale Head, at the southern tip of Haweswater Reservoir. It is accessed via a winding road that follows the shoreline of the reservoir, with several laybys along the route offering scenic spots to stop and enjoy the view.

Please note, well-behaved dogs are welcome on the resrve but should stay on the bridelways and footpaths, and must be kept under effective control when close to livestock.