Typically, March saw the first passerine summer migrants return to the park, with Chiffchaff and Blackcap noted singing on the 10th and 21st, respectively.
Conversely, just as these two species of warbler were arriving in the park, the totals of Redwings, which breed in northern and eastern Europe, declined, with a maximum of 25 on 9th; one was heard singing on 25th. Also heading northwards were ten Fieldfares over the park on 25th.
On Wilderness Pond, Mandarin Duck
totals peaked at 15 on the 2nd but declined rapidly as they moved elsewhere to breed – only five were present at the month’s end. A pair of Little Grebes had built an impressive nesting platform by mid-month; a Lesser Black-backed Gull, which got too close to the nest on the 29th, was vigorously chased away by the furious grebes. Five pairs of Canada Geese were on the pond at the month’s end. It is very disappointing to report that of a brood of 13 Mallard ducklings first noted on the 13th, none were present by the 23rd – victims of the gulls?
Birds of prey featured well with a Red Kite on 15th and single Peregrine Falcons on 12th and 27th. Common Buzzards were a frequent sight, and a superb displaying Sparrowhawk was noted high over the park on several occasions.
The breeding season was evidently well underway this month. Totals of singing birds included three Song Thrushes, up to nine Chiffchaffs and six Blackcaps. Observations of birds in areas of suitable breeding habitat indicated that the park had two pairs of Mistle Thrushes, five pairs of Jackdaws, 10-15 pairs of Stock Doves and at least two pairs of Great Spotted Woodpeckers. There was possibly a pair of Green Woodpeckers.
On Wilderness Pond, five Canada Geese were incubating on nests at the month’s end. Three elusive pairs of Little Grebes were present, but by the month’s end, there had been no evidence of successful breeding. The maximum total of Mandarin Ducks this month was only seven.
Up to 13 Lesser Black-backed Gulls frequented the pond, and the final spring sighting of Black-headed Gulls involved two on 6th. There were four sightings of Grey Wagtail at Round Pond during the month, including a pair on 10th.
Birds seen flying over the park included a pair of Sparrowhawks on two occasions, two Greylag Geese on 24th, three sightings of a single Grey Heron and an immature Cormorant on 29th.
A particularly interesting sighting on 14th was that of a
Tawny Owl put to flight from trees adjacent to the crossroads of paths north of the play area – it flew off in the direction of Westerfield Road.
Despite much searching on particularly fine days, there were no reports of any Swifts being seen this month.
The month started well with the first recorded Swifts (4) of the year high over the park on 1st. Most of the month’s ornithological activity was centred on the two main ponds. On Wilderness, four of the site’s five pairs of Canada Geese had hatched out seven goslings by the 14th; by the 21st, these had reduced to four (probably courtesy of the gulls). These four goslings remained, with attendant adults, on the pond to the month’s end; they were joined on the 30th by the last gosling to hatch.
Over on Round Pond, the highlight was a female Mandarin Duck with 13 ducklings (the largest brood ever recorded in Christchurch Park) on 16th; these ducklings had reduced to five by 24th, but all five were present into June.
On Wilderness Pond, no Mandarin Ducks were present on 6th, but on 10th, three males were located, increasing to five on 14th, six on 18th, ten on 27th and 13 on 30th – these males had arrived on Wilderness Pond from unknown breeding localities to moult. By the month’s end, several of these usually resplendent ducks were looking very dishevelled!
Also on Wilderness Pond, a pair of Little Grebes was accompanied by two tiny chicks on the 25th, which were both still present at the month’s end, by which time a second pair of Little Grebes was present at a nest.
No Cormorants had been seen on either of the two main ponds since last November’s fireworks display, but this month, there were three sightings of single birds on the ponds.
A pair of Grey Wagtails was noted actively food-collecting on at least three occasions at Round Pond during the month – they must have been breeding within the immediate vicinity of the park.
The Tawny Owls again bred successfully around “Mabel’s” tree with two owlets being first noted on 9th – they were still present. but getting increasingly mobile, at the month’s end.
The only diurnal birds of prey to be reported were single Sparrowhawks on three dates and both Red Kite and Common Buzzard on 1st.
From Left to right: Billy Cole, Parks Manager, West Ipswich, Rowell Bell, Friend of Christchurch Park, Sean Heffer, Park protection supervisor, Brian McDonald, landscape gardener, Richard Hudson, Chair of the Friends of Christchurch Park, and Oscar Deeks.
Today, Ipswich Borough Council is celebrating after again receiving a trio of accolades for Bourne, Christchurch and Holywell’s Parks.
The news of this year’s accreditations for the parks is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the green spaces of Ipswich, so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy them.
Christchurch Park has held this prestigious award for an amazing 18 years in succession.
Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:
“Congratulations to everyone involved at Ipswich Borough Council who have worked tirelessly on achieving the exacting standards required for these Green Flag Awards.
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The Friends were recently approached by the Ipswich Star to contribute to an article about fascinating features in the Park. If you would like to find out more about the buildings, monuments and places mentioned in the article do have a look at the more to see page by clicking here. If you’d like to join the Friends and support the Park, you can do so here. It only cost £10 a year.
