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Holes in the map, part 9: Wolves

In the final part of our series about species missing from the Lake District, Site Manager Lee Schofield takes on the wolf. A ruined stone building known as Low Loup perches on a fellside shoulder of Mardale Common, high above Haweswater reservoir. It lacks only a roof, and sheep use it to shelter from the wind, keeping its packed earth floor tightly nibbled. The ruin makes a popular photo opportunity,… Read More »Holes in the map, part 9: Wolves

Holes in the map, part 8: Ospreys, goshawks & kites

Part 8 of our series about the Lake District’s missing wildlife, written by Haweswater Site Manager Lee Schofield, strikes a cheerier tone and focuses on three avian conservation success stories. Back in the summer I took a walk with my kids to the summit of Dodd. Soaking up the views over Bassenthwaite, we spotted a big black and white bird flying on angled wings over the water below. At first,… Read More »Holes in the map, part 8: Ospreys, goshawks & kites

Holes in the map, part 7: Wildcat

In part 7 of our series about the Lake District’s missing wildlife, Site Manager Lee Schofield writes about the wildcat, a species that was common in our woods and fells until surprisingly recently. Somewhere between the muddy wild boars and the grumpy looking eagle owls at the Lake District Wildlife Park sits a wood and wire enclosure with a tangle of pine branches inside. If you look long enough, you… Read More »Holes in the map, part 7: Wildcat

Holes in the map, part 6: Pine Marten

In the sixth installment of the series about specices missing from the Lake District, Site Manager Lee Schofield focuses on one of our most elusive native predators, the pine marten. At five o’clock in the morning, I crept downstairs with my early-rising son, hoping not to wake my wife and daughter sleeping above. We snuck into the living room of our holiday cottage on the shore of Loch Linhe, keeping… Read More »Holes in the map, part 6: Pine Marten

Holes in the map, part 5: Water Vole

The fifth part of the series focusing on species missing from the Lake District, Site Manager Lee Schofield looks for water voles. For aeons, The Lake District and its abundance of lakes, becks, tarns, ditches, bogs and ponds was heaven for water voles, one of the UK’s most endearing small mammals. Made famous by the affable and breezy character of Ratty in The Wind in the Willows, water vole’s relationship… Read More »Holes in the map, part 5: Water Vole

Holes in the map, part 4: Eagles

In the fourth part of the series exploring the species that have disappeared from Cumbria’s landscape, Haweswater Site Manager Lee Schofield traces the rise and fall of our two native eagles, both of which have a special place in the wild history of Haweswater For most of the last five decades, Haweswater was the only place in England where golden eagles resided. They returned in 1969 thanks to a healthy… Read More »Holes in the map, part 4: Eagles