News: PCT

conservation

Ruffs in the wader aviary

It’s a flurry of activity in the wader aviary at the moment with avocet, shoveler, turtle dove and bearded tit chicks and the ruff displaying with their elegant plumage. Male ruff have large colourful manes of feathers around their necks and shoulders, which provided the inspiration for their name. In the spring male ruff converge… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

July 4, 2023

conservation

Volunteers’ Week 2023 – A Celebration of the Hard Work and Dedication of Volunteers

Volunteers Week is a national celebration of the hard work and dedication of volunteers across the UK. This year, Volunteers Week takes place from 1-7 June. Volunteers make a vital contribution to our communities. They work in a wide range of settings, from schools and hospitals to charities and community groups. They give their time,… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

May 31, 2023

conservation

World Curlew Day

World Curlew Day is a global awareness day that celebrates the curlew, a large wading bird that is found in many parts of the world. The day is held on April 21st, which is the feast day of Saint Beuno, the patron saint of curlews. Curlews are beautiful and iconic birds. They are known for… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

April 21, 2023

PCT

Flamingo health check

This February the decision was made to catch our flock of 56 greater flamingos at Pensthorpe. One of our two year old chicks had a lump on his head that we wanted the vet to check out and we decided it would be an excellent opportunity to catch the whole flock to give them all… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

March 3, 2023

PCT

Bird flu hasn’t stopped me smiling

On February 4th 2021 I was perched of the side of the Sierra Negra mountains in Cape Verde collecting biometric data of red billed tropic birds and deploying GPS trackers. I was blissfully unaware of the events occurring back at Pensthorpe. I knew there were still cases of avian influenza being reported daily in the… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

February 7, 2023

PCT

World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2nd February each year, to raise global awareness about Wetlands and the vital role they play for people and the planet. Wetlands are amazing, they sustain life; teem with biodiversity; naturally filter pollutants; store carbon and provide vital flood protection from storms. They are dynamic and ever changing throughout the… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

February 2, 2023

PCT

Release of endangered bird species at Sandringham Estate

A milestone for partners in large scale curlew release We’re pleased to announce that the Eurasian curlews that experts from our Pensthorpe Conservation Trust team hand reared from incubation in a purpose built facility were released at Sandringham Estate in the presence of HRH Prince of Wales yesterday (27th July 2021). This was a huge milestone… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

July 28, 2021

PCT

Volunteers’ Week 2021

Learn more about our super team of volunteers! This week was Volunteers’ week; a week to recognise and appreciate the hard work and contribution carried out by individuals all across the UK; we’re marking this week by celebrating the hard work of our wonderful group of volunteers we currently have as part of our Pensthorpe… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

June 6, 2021

PCT

Red-crowned cranes at Pensthorpe

Red-crowned cranes – our rarest species Their Latin name is Grus japonensis and they are IUCN red-listed as Endangered with a wild population less than 2000 individuals and decreasing. Pensthorpe have a special link with red-crowned cranes, and the International Crane Foundation (ICF) who work closely with local communities to raise awareness of the crane’s plight in East Asia,… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

May 7, 2020