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Park update by warden Edward Bramham-Jones

Park update by warden Edward Bramham-Jones

Friday, 26th February 2010

With the cold weather still with us, there is a frenzy of activity at the feeders around the reserve. The Wave Garden Hide has had some trees cleared, to open up the view and the numbers of birds are increasing with Fieldfares and Blackbirds now using the area. The Wader Scrape has seen good numbers of Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler feeding in the shallows, and eight Cormorant
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Species Update

Species Update

Wednesday, 24th February 2010

The long winter of abysmal weather has not deterred our pair of Hawaiian geese from their breeding.  Always the first species of the collection birds to lay, the female is sitting tight on a clutch of eggs amongst the straw laid down to help the storks keep warm.  She is under the trees in the wader pen at the Pensthorpe Conservation Centre, and looking very cosy! 

O
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Park Update

Park Update

Saturday, 6th February 2010

 Five pairs of Shelduck have dropped in, these are often seen at the wader scrape

 A pair of Marsh Harrier's were seen at the wader scrape within the last week

 A barn owl was seen hunting around the 5 cottages on the 31st Jan

 Large numbers of waterfowl are around the reserve, with 400 Wigeon seen on 1st Feb. A pair of Pintail are regularly seen betw
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Millennium Garden update..

Millennium Garden update..

Friday, 5th February 2010

It is a time to celebrate for our Head Gardener as she has now completed the last patch of digging up and dividing of the Millennium Garden.  Imogen has been working very hard, along with the help of some Pensthorpe staff and loyal volunteers, systematically working through all the flower beds in the garden.

There are a still few more areas to plant up ready for the breath taking d
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Fantastic Sunset

Fantastic Sunset

Friday, 5th February 2010

This photo was taken in the last Thursday in January.  The sky provided a very dramatic show as the sun sunk down beyond the lakes.


Winter Sunshine

Winter Sunshine

Tuesday, 26th January 2010

Enjoy a refreshing winter walk around the reserve.  The lakes are looking stunning in the winter sunshine, make the most of the superb views through the trees, the snow has pushed the undergrowth down and everywhere is looking spacious and fresh.  The snow drops have pushed through in the wave garden, and sparrow song fills the air.


Millennium Garden Update

Millennium Garden Update

Tuesday, 26th January 2010

The end is in sight! Our Millennium Garden update is almost complete, with just the last few blocks in the last bed, to dig out.   Most of the replanting had been done before the frosts came so as soon as the sun comes back out for more than a day we can finish. Everything should be done around the end of February, just in time for the Dwarf Iris to appear.

Look forward to the
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Habitat Garden update

Habitat Garden update

Tuesday, 26th January 2010

Our garden volunteers have tidied up the Habitat Garden ready for the early spring bulbs, Dwarf Iris, Chionodoxia and Alliums to emerge.  These should provide some early pollen and nectar for the gardens insect dwellers.  All the debris (apart from the weeds) is recycled within the garden either as a habitat pile or in the composting area.


Pensthorpe Welcomes Bird Lovers for Nest Box Week

Pensthorpe Welcomes Bird Lovers for Nest Box Week

Friday, 22nd January 2010

Calling all bird lovers - National Nest Box Week is fast approaching and Pensthorpe Nature Reserve & Gardens is running a number of initiatives to mark the event which starts on Valentine's Day, 14th February, and runs until 21st February.

Launched 13 years ago, National Nest Box Week is organised each year by the British Trust for Ornithology and encourages
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Park and Farm update by warden Edward Bramham-Jones

Park and Farm update by warden Edward Bramham-Jones

Tuesday, 19th January 2010

With the snow and freezing conditions, lots of shy and secretive species are turning up in unusual places. On Moon Water and Old Squaw, Shoveler, Teal and Gadwall are appearing in larger numbers than usual. On moon water, a pair of Little Grebes have been feeding in a small area of water between the ice at the end of the stream from Mill Pond. A Peregrine has been hunting down at the Wader Scra
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Bittern Sighted

Bittern Sighted

Tuesday, 5th January 2010

A Bittern is being regularly sighted between the Wave Garden and Wader Scrape. 

The Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) is a red listed species - one of the most threatened in the UK.   It is estimated there are only 50 - 150 that winter in the UK.  See if you can be one of the lucky ones to get a glimpse at this fantastic bird here at Pensthorpe.