Pensthorpe

After a really good nights sleep we awoke to a cool sparkling blue sky and after a sumptuous breakfast we threw our belongings into the car & set off for Pensthorpe, a nature reserve just outside Fakenham. This is where Springwatch has been presented from for the last few years. I am a bit apprehensive as I fear it maybe commercialized. We arrive too early and wait in the car park for a few minutes, soaking up the early morning sunshine.

Hmm…. we pass through a high class gift shop pay £9 each to get in – fears are being realized?? We walk outside where there is a large pond, this is supporting some rare breeds of ducks. These are kept birds & whilst interesting to see are not as good as seeing them in the wild.

We soon get through the commercial bit & start off on the 4 miles of pathways through the reserve. It is only just 10 am and very few people about. As previously mentioned it is very warm & sunny, we spot some Comma butterflies and very large Red Admiral and some others which I have not identified. There are loads of Emperor Dragonflies – perhaps we might get to see a Hobby if they have not yet set off on the migration. Many photographs are taken!! We arrive at one of the bird hides it is totally enclosed, no windows. Upon opening the hatch I am amazed to see about 10 foot in front of us is a Kingfisher! It is in perfect pose on a stick overhanging the pond. In my excitement and trying to point out to Ian exactly where it was we did not get the photograph – Oh how we are still lamenting the fact and will probably never get an opportunity like it again. Never mind we both got to see it & I suppose that is the beauty of nature it takes your breath away for a fleeting moment & then it is gone. Only the memories remain & if you are quick enough a PICTURE!!

I also missed a prize winning shot of a Four Spotted Chaser Dragonfly perched on a bullrush. Again too busy trying to point it out to others & not seizing the chance. I suspect that it might have not been in focus if I had managed it, which I find even more frustrating that missing the chance.

We meet up with a Warden who takes us round the conservation area. They are doing great work in breeding Red Squirrels, Corn Crakes (very sweet) and Cranes to be released into the wild in the UK.

We walk around the rest of the reserve ever watchful for an Owl or Otter but as it is completely the wrong time of day we are not lucky in that area.

Time to get on home to Marlow - M25 was indeed the road of Hell. We were very tired as we had been walking for the best part of 5 hours that day & driving for four - had half a bottle of Montepulciano & a dreadful ready meal but a wonderful nights sleep, dreaming of the damned Kingfisher!

The first set of photos are mine as tagged at the bottom, the rest are Ian's