Ahead of next week’s World Wildlife Day on March 3, Windermere Lake Cruises has been delving into its vast photo archives to showcase some of the spectacular natural wonders of England’s longest lake.

Although Windermere is home to well over a thousand ducks, geese and swans throughout the year, the winter months typically see many more birds flying in from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe - that’s more any other lake in the region.

Windermere is also one of the top places in the country for more unusual species including the goldeneye duck, tufted duck, red-breasted merganser and pochard.

Windermere Lake Cruises skipper Rob Beale is a keen amateur photographer. Currently on furlough during the national lockdown, Rob has been looking back at the array of interesting wildlife he has seen on his many previous sailings around the lake, including cormorants, great-crested grebes and notoriously shy wild otters.

WELCOMING: Windermere’s Winter Wonderland welcomes World Wildlife Day (Picture: Rob Beal)

WELCOMING: Windermere’s Winter Wonderland welcomes World Wildlife Day (Picture: Rob Beal)

Rob said: “Nothing beats spotting wintering birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat. While we can’t get out to explore Windermere in the same way at the moment, the run up to World Wildlife Day is still a great time to appreciate the diverse range of wild animals, birds and eco-systems we have right here in the English Lake District.

“We all want these species to continue thriving here for many generations to come, and I hope these photos will not only shine the spotlight on these natural wonders, but also help lift people’s spirits and give them an all-important nature fix!”

Sales and marketing director at Windermere Lake Cruises, Jennifer Cormack, added: “Windermere’s wildlife has a perennial appeal for fans of the Lake District.

“Take the ancient woodlands which hug the lake’s western shoreline at Claife Heights; these are home to red deer, as well as one of the few places you might see a red squirrel!

CELEBRATE: World Wildlife Day is marked annually on 3 March by the United Nations (Picture: Rob Beal)

CELEBRATE: World Wildlife Day is marked annually on 3 March by the United Nations (Picture: Rob Beal)

“Although our vessels can’t sail at the moment, we are so looking forward to restarting our services and helping bring people that little bit closer to nature.

“In the meantime, sharing some of these fantastic wildlife photos is our way of helping people reconnect with nature until they can return to explore this very special lake and its unique shoreline for themselves.”

For real-time views of Windermere and its wildlife, Windermere Lake Cruises have three popular webcams at Ambleside (Waterhead) Pier, their head office near Bowness Pier and at Lakeside Pier.

PHOTOGRAPH: Windermere Lake Cruises has been delving into its vast photo archives to showcase some of the spectacular natural wonders of England’s longest lake (Picture: Rob Beal)

PHOTOGRAPH: Windermere Lake Cruises has been delving into its vast photo archives to showcase some of the spectacular natural wonders of England’s longest lake (Picture: Rob Beal)

A Lakeside webcam video guide produced during the first national lockdown is also currently inspiring people about the natural wonders they can see from behind the lens: www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk/lakeside-webcam.

World Wildlife Day is marked annually on March 3 by the United Nations, to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora.