54.919041,-2.643508
- Grid ref: NY588584
- Lat/long: 54.919041,-2.643508
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Wildlife awards
Geltsdale is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK.
Top things to do in Spring
- Get out at dawn to see and hear the spectacular 'lekking' display of the black grouse
- Walk along one of the reserve trails and lie in the heather listening to skylarks singing, cuckoos calling and watch green hairstreak butterflies in the bilberry
- Picnic in the garden of the visitor centre at Stagsike Cottages and watch lapwings displaying, hear curlews calling
Top things to do in Summer
- Walk to the visitor centre at Stagsike Cottages and watch the barn owls on camera in their nestbox
- Look for wildflowers in the meadows alongside the footpaths on the reserve
- Walk the nature trails looking for butterflies such as ringlet, small heath and common blue
Top things to do in Autumn
- The best time of year to see migration in action: you might see skeins of geese, huge flocks of redwings and fieldfares and maybe find a ring ouzel
- Look for black grouse feeding on hawthorn berries and rowan berries
- Walk up the trail to the Bruthwaite viewpoint to see the autumn colours on the moorland and the spectacular views over north Cumbria
Top things to do in Winter
- Visit the viewing screen overlooking Tindale Tarn to watch the array of wildfowl; there's always a good chance to see a smew
- Watch black grouse feeding on the hill behind the visitor centre - this is the best time of year to see them here
- Explore one of the higher trails to view the Solway Firth and the snow-covered hills along Hadrian’s Wall