‘Call of the Kingfisher’ is a talk about the enchanting nature-writing book by musician and wildlife recordist Nick Penny.
Discover why he describes his book as a “love letter to a short stretch of Northamptonshire’s River Nene”, and celebrate a year of taking in the glorious sights and sounds of the riverbank.
As well as talking entertainingly about his experiences while researching and writing the book, Nick also performs some of his own live music on Harp and Handpan to accompany birdsong recordings he has made.
Talks last about 45 minutes and can be followed by questions. For more details email: nickpennymusic@gmail.com
Nick also offers a follow up talk, “Song of the Nightingale’, which is based on his experiences listening to and recording Northamptonshire nightingales.
Feedback from organisers:
“Congratulations for a fantastic event on Friday. It went really well, and I heard nothing but praise and happy comments from the audience at they left. It was a joy listening to the birdsong and your music, something that a lot of people will remember for a long time.”
“Just a quick note to thank you for a really enjoyable evening last night. Everyone commented on what a delightful evening, informative and relaxing.”
“We REALLY enjoyed your talk at Stanwick Lakes – thanks so much – the blend of music, birdsong recordings and photos, with your narrative, was entrancing..”
“You were very entertaining with both words and images – plus your atmospheric music really brought the tranquility and beauty of what you
were describing to life. You made us laugh and made us think.”
“Thank you so much for today’s event. It was an absolute joy. Really. And the audience was super.”“Thank you so much for hosting such an enjoyable evening. Everyone who attended had such a wonderful time.”
“Thank you so much for coming to our Probus group on Tuesday and giving such a wonderful and uplifting presentation”
“Nick just a quick line to say a huge thank you for coming today to Abbey WI, one lady remarked it was one of the most enjoyable speakers she had heard”
“I thought you might like to see the article we placed in our local newsletter relating to your very enjoyable talk, members still talk about the session with fondness”
Upcoming performances in 2026:
15 January – Cope, St Ives
4 February – Ravensthorpe Gardening Club
11 February – Warboys WI
16 February – Oundle Ladies
17 February – Oadby and Wigston Senior Citizens Group
26 February – Northampton Museum
2 April – Ketton Talks
14 April – Great Staughton WI
12 May – VA Oundle
24 May – Storrington Stork Festival (Music Performance)
4 June – Towcester WI
15 June – Towcester Blind Club
29 June – Oundle Fringe
8 September – Gretton WI
15 September – Kettering U3A
16 November – Cheltenham Bird Club
18 November – Great Bowden LWT
Past performances:
Northampton Museum
Clacton Arts and Literary Society
International Birdfair
Nene Festival, Lamport Hall
Oundle Literary Festival
Mid-Nene RSPB group
Burford Literature Festival
Cotterstock Village Hall
Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre
Oxford Literary Festival 2024
Towcester U3A
‘BB’ Society AGM
Tansor Village Hall
Barnwell WI
Oundle Probus
Bookmark bookshop, Spalding
Oundle Fringe
Ramsey WI
Huntingdon NHS Retirement Group
Swindon Festival of Literature
Northampton National Trust
For more details email: nickpennymusic@gmail.com