News: Reserve

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

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

Reserve

The importance of nettles

Nettles provide a safe habitat for aphids This week our blog has been written by our Seasonal Aviculture Warden, Amy Plows: “Spring has sprung and everywhere you look, including at Pensthorpe, there are nettles popping up in fresh, leafy patches. Whilst many people consider the stinging nettle a weed or an unwanted cause of pain,… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

May 21, 2020

Reserve

Winter birding in North Norfolk

North Norfolk’s magnetism for migratory birds and what to look out for In many ways North Norfolk in winter is like one enormous arrivals and departures lounge seeing off the last of the summer migrants preparing to depart our shores while a new group of migratory birds are returning for the impending winter. The area… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

December 5, 2019

Reserve

Bat Management at Pensthorpe

Bats are amazing and certainly not scary! Our Reserve Manager, Richard Spowage, manages our 700 acre reserve for wildlife, including a variety of bat species, and gives us an insight into these nocturnal and fascinating creatures… “Here at Pensthorpe we believe we have ten species of bats, based on work carried out by the Norfolk bat survey, including… Read more »

Chris Donaldson

April 19, 2019