Spectacular fish-eating birds of prey, ospreys have a wingspan of nearly five feet. Their white head and undersides, contrast with the rich brown upper parts.

Ospreys were driven to extinction in Britain through intense persecution, particularly egg and specimen collectors. Ospreys were last recorded breeding in England in 1840 in Gloucester shire and the last UK breeding pair was destroyed in Scotland in 1916.

Ospreys were extinct as a breeding species in the UK between 1916 and 1954, when they re colonised Scotland from a nest at Loch Garten, now an RSPB reserve. Breeding success was low until 1959 when intensive wardening increased the security given to the birds.

Ospreys are amazing birds of prey. There return to the UK and more recently return to breeding in Cumbria are great conservation success stories.

During the summer months we adapt our Skiddaw walk to take in the Osprey Viewpoint in Dodd Wood.
From the Old Sawmill Tearooms in Dodd Wood we climb the forest paths to the Osprey Viewpoint, taking in the wonderful views over Bassenthwaite Lake and hopefully an Osprey or two.

Our route continues to the summit of Dodd, a great viewpoint overlooking Keswick, Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake and Borrowdale.

The route continues from the summit of Dodd climbing over Carl Side to the summit of Skiddaw.

From Skiddaw we will follow the path south over the Little Man summit, one of the best viewpoints over Keswick and Derwentwater, before we descend to the 'pony track' path down to Latrigg descending back to Dodd Wood and our start point.

Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.