Latest News

This February half-term we have a poo trail going on around the park- here our Wildlife Education officer Allan tells us lots of fascinating facts about poo!

As with a lot of nature reserves, volunteers are essential in the management of the park at Pensthorpe; from helping with habitat work to guiding visitors, checking and moving livestock to surveying wildlife.

Love them or loathe them, the one thing we should all be able to agree on is that spiders are remarkable creatures and beneficial for all. Not convinced? Well, read on to discover why they should be endeared and not feared.

Making a wildflower meadow takes a lot of planning and good timing, and the end of summer was the best time to start hay baling and getting the field ready for next year.

A milestone for Pensthorpe Conservation Trust and partners as large scale curlew release takes place at Sandringham Estate on Tuesday 27th July in the presence of HRH Prince of Wales...

To celebrate this Volunteers' week we wanted to share a little more about our group of highly committed and enthusiastic individuals...

A tribute and look back on the fond memories of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh...

When we truly connect with nature we feel at home. We feel secure, we feel protected, and we feel a freedom from fears and unhappiness...

The WVBS have written a blog discussing their latest monitoring activity at Pensthorpe Natural Park...

In this blog Chrissie discusses the history behind the native red squirrel, as well as the fine efforts and achievements made by great friend David Stapleford...

Our longest serving member of staff, Jean Moore first started working here, on the Pensthorpe Estate, approximately 35 years ago, before Pensthorpe Natural Park became the nature reserve it became today...

After recognising the demand for a local birdwatching club, good friends Alwyn Jackson and Ray Gribble set up the Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society in 2003.

Our September update highlights the species sighted, including teal, with a growing number of fungi on the reserve; including fly agaric and giant puffball

Our September update highlights the work carried out by the outdoor team in our Wader Aviary, as well as the last ever Corncrake release

This World Mental Health Day we have put together a few words and suggestions on how we can all help our mental health...

This week is National Red Squirrel Awareness Week. Here at Pensthorpe Natural Park, we work with the East Anglian Red Squirrel Group (EARSG), and have been breeding red squirrels successfully since 1998.

We’re celebrating 20 years of the stunning Millennium Garden – our wild, one-acre contemporary landscape designed by world-renowned Dutch plantsman, Piet Oudolf.

This August we are delighted to be celebrating 20 years of this floral delight and breathtaking garden, our Millennium Garden...

Our Head of Species Management, Chrissie, provides an update on a good brood of shelduck ducklings in the flamingo enclosure. Shelduck being one of the largest and most sociable duck species during breeding season.

Our May update highlights the species sighted, including nesting avocet, lapwing and little ringed plover, along with the growing number of dragonfly and damselfy species spotted.

As the gardens transition from spring to summer our Head Gardener, Jonathan, discusses the highlights from the last month including the challenges he faces and the beauty of sculpture that accentuates the gardens.

Our Head Gardener, Jonathan, updates you on how the gardens are looking in May and the challenges he is having to face with wildlife nesting in amongst the gardens and other creatures snacking on the plants!

This week has been exciting with new hatches of flamingo, Eurasian cranes, and the first corncrake chicks, all being reared by their parents with very different rearing strategies, which Chrissie explains. 

Our Seasonal Avicultural Warden, Amy Plows, guest blogs this week with a fascinating and insightful article all about the native nettle and its importance in providing a safe habitat for aphids.

Red-crowned cranes are the rarest species we have here at Pensthorpe. Pensthorpe Conservation Trust have a very special link with the species, thanks to the International Crane Foundation (ICF).

The wildlife is thriving here at Pensthorpe, with our resident birds and visiting wildlife getting ready to welcome new members of their family. Nesting season is underway here at Pensthorpe, with our flamingos currently sitting on fourteen eggs and two female corncrakes incubating.

The spring displays are looking fantastic in the Corten Infinity Garden here at Pensthorpe Natural Park. Our Wildlife Habitat Garden is also blooming after some heavy rain recently.

Our team that are still working hard on the reserve, looking after the wildlife, have been taking note of sightings, including the first lapwing chick, marsh harrier and a pair of cuckoo.

A joint conservation effort for the UK crane population has yielded impressive results, with a total population now believed to be over 200 birds - a new record.

Our Head of Species Management, Chrissie, reflects on what April has been like for the aviculture team whilst the nation is on lockdown, along with the projects coming up.

Our team who are still on site have collectively provided an update on what species have been spotted around the reserve during lockdown, including nesting species and wildlife that is emerging during spring.

Jonathan wrote this blog with a hope of inspiring those of you who are isolated at home to get outside into your gardens and enjoy the peace, tranquillity and beauty that can be found from all the different plant species that appear at this time of year.

Our Head Gardener, Jonathan, discusses the impact of the weather on the four gardens as well as the cut down of the Millennium Garden.

Our Reserve Manager, Richard, discusses the latest on the reserve; with topsy turvy weather and water levels fluctuating. Find out more about what has been happening on the reserve this month...

In this look back on February Chrissie discusses our five-month old Greater Flamingo chick, Hawaiian geese and development work carried out.

World Wildlife Day, a day to recognise and appreciate all wild animal and plant species to be crucial components to the world’s biodiversity. Our Wildlife Education officer, Allan has written a blog to highlight their importance.

This week being National Nest Box Week, we look back on a slightly alternative role that nest boxes play in their purpose...

Our Head Gardener, Jonathan, discusses the burst of scents and colours that currently permeate the four gardens; from the winter-flowering honeysuckle to the Witch Hazel, the scents from our gardens will certainly awaken your senses...

Our Reserve Manager, Richard, discusses the latest on the reserve; with heavy rainfall and duck numbers fluctuating. Find out more about what has been happening on the reserve this month...