June on the Reserve

This month we have had scorching sunshine to heavy thunderstorms, more the first than the latter.

In this hot weather the insect population is thriving, especially for Aphids and Flies. Swallows are nesting and feeding their chicks on all these flying invertebrates, look in the hides to see their nests, but please be careful not to disturb them.

Also keep an eye out for Common Spotted Orchids, Knapweed (which bee’s love), Common Lizards, Cuckoos, Froglets and Banded Demoiselle Damselflies, which can all be seen in the Wildflower Meadow. Soon we will be seeing Hobbies (small predatory bird), Wasp Spiders and Cinnabar Moth caterpillars.

Guests on our Glow Worm hunt got more than they bargained for! Visitors had over ten Glow Worm sightings as well as spotting Muntjacs, Roe deer, Hares, Bats, Leeches, Crayfish, Tawny Owl and Barn Owl.

Speaking of Barn Owls, the N.O.A Ringers ringed four chicks from the Scrape owl box. Next time they will check the other three inhabited owl boxes. They also ringed eight juveniles and one adult female Bearded Tits and spotted an adult male making it the first wild family of Beardies on site. Last years hard work of clearing scrub/trees and creating new reed areas has paid off.

Another first for Pensthorpe happened this month too when we spotted a small herd of Fallow deer on Rushy marsh.

On Father’s Day we opened our farmland walk for visitors to enjoy. Guests can watch the Savorys (Pensthorpe Shepherds) cut and bale silage, check for Grass Snakes underneath our reptile tins, as well as see White Throats and Bullfinches in the hedgerows.

Our sheep have had a buzz cut and two of the Longhorns have been moved to graze down at Ryburgh.

Soon we will be having more helping hands from upcoming Volunteer Groups and Work Experience students. Our regular volunteers have been clearing sections of the Wensum river up at Fakenham. We removed large trees and roots that have been collecting silt and litter, which had been obstructing the water flow therefore flooding the pathways.