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Owl in Garsdale, Yorkshire Dales

Bird Watching in Garsdale

A Bird Watcher's Paradise

Garsdale is a quiet valley in the Yorkshire Dales National Park where upland moors, ancient woodlands and the River Clough come together to create a remarkable range of habitats. With very little traffic and minimal background noise, the birdsong here is extraordinary. Whether you are a seasoned birder or simply enjoy watching wildlife, our two cottages put you right in the middle of it all.

  • Roger Pot

    A three bedroom property ideal for families

  • The Old Cart House

    A cosy one-bedroom cottage perfect for couples and small families

Birds on Your Doorstep

Over 50 species spotted in and around the cottages

Both of our cottages have bird feeders with regular visits from nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, long-tailed tits, siskins, blackcaps, redpolls, robins, dunnocks and tree creepers, along with jackdaws, ravens and crows. The garden is also visited by willow warblers, gold crests and spotted flycatchers.

You don't need to go far to start ticking off your list - a cup of tea and a window seat may be all you need.

Robin on a branch in Garsdale

Upland and Moorland Birds

Curlews, lapwings, grouse and birds of prey

The open moorland and fields around Garsdale are home to oystercatchers and curlews, lapwings and meadow pipits and the occasional skylark. Grouse, pheasants and partridges can be found across the fields and moorlands.

Raptors are regularly seen - tawny owls, barn owls and short-eared owls hunt the valley, along with kestrels, buzzards and sparrowhawks. On a walk up to Grisedale in spring and early summer, short-eared owls can be seen in the early evening scouring for mice and chicks.

Male pheasant in the fields around Garsdale

River and Waterside Birds

Herons, dippers and the elusive kingfisher

The River Clough runs through Garsdale and attracts herons, dippers, mallards and goosander. If you are very lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a kingfisher - rare sightings that make for unforgettable moments.

Roger Pot sits just a short walk from the river, with on-site access through the owner's four acres of land, while The Old Cart House has the river running alongside the road nearby.

Jay spotted in Garsdale woodland

Seasonal Highlights

Every season brings something different

Spring brings the curlews arriving from the coast to nest, their distinctive calls echoing across the dale, along with cuckoos and the return of swallows.

Summer sees swifts making their home in nearby Sedbergh, while spotted flycatchers and willow warblers visit the gardens.

Autumn brings the departure of the swallows, and the owls can be heard calling from the trees as the evenings draw in.

Winter visitors arrive in numbers - redwings and fieldfares, while the robin's song carries through the cold air and the bird feeders become a hub of activity with siskins, redpolls and long-tailed tits.

Winter flock of birds in the Garsdale countryside

Our Cottages

Both properties are ideally placed for bird watching, with feeders attracting a wide variety of species and the surrounding countryside offering diverse habitats to explore.

Birding Walks from Garsdale

There are walks directly from both cottages that take you through excellent birding territory:

  • The riverside path - follow the River Clough for dippers, herons, goosander and the chance of a kingfisher sighting
  • Grisedale - a walk up this quiet side valley in spring and early summer rewards with short-eared owls hunting in the early evening
  • The woodland paths - red squirrels share these woods with nuthatches, tree creepers, great spotted woodpeckers and gold crests
  • The open fell - climb above the valley for curlews, lapwings, skylarks and birds of prey soaring on the thermals
  • Smardale Beck - a fine vantage point from the old viaduct for spotting sparrowhawks, buzzards and treecreepers in this national nature reserve

Why Garsdale for Bird Watching?

A combination of habitats, peace and proximity to nature that is hard to match

  • Diverse Habitats

    Upland moor, river valley, ancient woodland and hay meadows all within walking distance of both cottages.

  • Peace and Quiet

    Very little traffic and minimal background noise - hear the birdsong, the river, the breeze in the trees.

  • Dawn to Dusk

    Early morning curlew calls, daytime feeder visits, evening owl hunts - every hour brings something to see and hear.

  • Local Knowledge

    Our cottage owners live locally and can point you to the best spots for the species you're hoping to see.

  • Roger Pot

    A three bedroom property ideal for families

  • The Old Cart House

    A cosy one-bedroom cottage perfect for couples and small families

References

Garsdale is perfect for those interested in wildlife and bird watching. Many garden birds can be seen every day, for example: blue tits, great tits,long tailed tits,wrens, robins, thrushes, blackbirds, dunnocks, gold finches and nuthatches are regular visitors to the garden. Great spotted woodpeckers will frequent the bird feeders .

In Spring siskins, redpolls, blackcaps, goldcrests , spotted and pied flycatchers and occasionally redstarts will be seen around the village. Spring will also bring cuckoos, swallows, swifts and house martins. Curlews and oystercatchers will move to the moorland from the coast for nesting and this will then bring short eared owls searching for prey, scouring the moorland. A number of local properties have put up swift boxes to encourage swifts to nest and Sedbergh does have a small swift nesting colony during the summer.

Moorland ground nesting birds such as pheasants, grouse and partridges are all year round residents. A trip to Grisedale or Cotterdale nearby is ideal for birdwatching , particularly early evening as dusk is falling.

At dusk barn owls and tawny owls can be see flitting across the fields and can be heard calling at night. With the many barns and old farm buildings , there is an abundance of nesting sites.

Winter migrant birds arrive in great flocks: redwings and fieldfares will be seen in the fields and woodlands.

The river also is a home to herons, dippers, the occasional kingfisher but also mallards and goosander . Pied and yellow wagtails will feed on the gnats above the river .

Driving from Garsdale to Kirkby Stephen across the open moorland and by the river you may hear meadow pipits, skylarks,sandpipers, lapwings, along with Greylag and Canada geese.

There are a number of birds of prey to be seen locally: buzzards and kestrels are often around but also sparrowhawks and red kites.

I have found the Merlin Bird ID app is essential in helping to identify birds by their song and is lovely to use whilst out walking or just sitting enjoying the day.