Pensthorpe

Moth Quiz 34
A country bumpkin in the summer
Brown Rustic

Moth Quiz 35
A moon which hasn't got a sting in its tail

Friday, July 17 

Although Pam is a founder member, it's many years since we visited Pensthorpe. We stopped going when there were too many suspected escapes from the park, such as Sammy, Titchwell's long-staying Black-winged Stilt. Last week was the first opening since lockdown, pre-booking on line was essential. Somewhat apprehensive re walking conditions and distance - buggies not available, only wheelchairs which need to be pushed - we arrived in plenty of time for our 11 a.m. slot. 

 

The walk from the disabled parking area to the entry point was further than anticipated. After a discussion with a staff member, there wasn't a queue to get through the admissions area where a one-way system prevailed. There were strict adherence to social distancing signs, and an admirable supply of hand sanitiser stations, throughout.

Signs of the times

We spent the first half an hour enjoying and photographing the UK birds' indoor enclosure. Open to the sky, the roof consisted of a fine wire mesh. Trees, shrubs, vegetation, islands, and areas of reed made it look pretty authentic. An inrush of water occurred every few minutes. Avocets

and Ruff dominated 

with two Turtle Doves, 

a pair of breeding Black-winged Stilts, 

at least one skulking Corncrake, 

two Black-tailed Godwits, several flighty Bearded Reedlings pinging about. One stood still long enough.

 Two Shoveller and two Garganey. The latter in eclipse plumage.

The park has been responsible for breeding Corncrakes, which have been released on the Ouse washes, successfully migrating and returning to breed, Spoon-billed Sandpipers and Common Cranes. Turtle Doves, for conservation reasons, are bred elsewhere.

A pair of Common Terns flew in from the Wensum, alighting on posts in the very large pool containing Nene, Bar-headed Geese, various merganser sp, White-cheeked Teal and so on.

Although we only walked a relatively small section, it all looks remarkably wild. The sun wasn't out so the extensive areas of wild vegetation only held a few bees. We saw one Skipper species, a Red Admiral, and the inevitable large Whites. 

The River Wensum is an integral part of the park but we could not do justice to the further reaches which would have been of greatest interest to us. The wader pool area most of all, with its breeding Little Ringed Plovers etc - all genuinely wild - as shown on Springwatch a couple of years ago.

A very enjoyable couple of hours. We intend returning when the ducks regain their breeding plumage.