IF you want an autumn or winter birdwatch follow the footpath sign leading to Skelwith Falls and Elterwater, a distance of about two miles.

The word Elterwater comes from the old Viking word meaning Swan Lake.

It is said that when the whooper swans come from Russia and Eastern Europe to spend the winter with us, Elterwater is one of the first places they visit.

I did not see any whoopers but I had a wonderful view of a family of these mute swans swimming on the current of the River Brathay as it emerges from Elterwater and begins its journey to Windermere.

The mute swan, our only resident swan, has made something of a comeback in recent years, thanks to anglers developing a substitute for lead shot to weigh down their lines. They are also much more careful about discarding old lie and hooks. It should not be forgotten that most anglers are also excellent naturalists.

This year despite the poor weather the male swan has had a decent breeding season in East Lancashire. I was delighted to see the family around Elterwater very much at peace, while behind them I had wonderful views of the Langdale Pikes.

It only takes just over an hour from East Lancashire and Swan Lake in winter is a natural spectacle which can be seen free of charge!

Life through unique eyes

WHIRLIGIG beetles are found in unpolluted stretches of slow moving rivers, ponds, canals and lakes. They seem to flash as they reflect sunlight.

Their scientific name is gyrinidae and they do indeed gyrate at very great speed. Try to catch them, however, and they drive quickly.

They have compound eyes made up of large numbers of individual lenses. Under a microscope each eye seems to look like a jigsaw but each eye has its vision co-ordinated.

The eyes of the whirligig shows a fascinating to life close to the surface of the water. Each eye is divided horizontally into two halves -the upper part to see above water, while the lower part is specialized for underwater viewing. Here is nature's perfect example of a bi-focal lens.