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This month is renowned for observing visible bird migration. Notable sightings of birds moving between south and west over the park this month included eight Grey Herons in one group (2nd), c.100 Redwings (15th), c.50 Jackdaws (18th), c.450 Wood Pigeons (26th) and c.30 Fieldfares (30th). Mandarin Duck totals varied between 15 and 29, and a pair was observed copulating on 26th. At first light on 7th, there were 47 Mallards on Round Pond, where they had been throughout the night, before flying over to Wilderness Pond as the light increased. Four Little Grebes remained on Wilderness Pond throughout the month although a fifth bird was present on the 30th. A flock of 27 Canada Geese flew in from the direction of Ipswich Docks and alighted on Wilderness Pond at 08.15 on the 8th. 
A Raven which flew southwards over the Soane Street entrance on 12th joined a second Raven on the spire of St. Mary-le-Tower (now Ipswich Minster) where they were harassed very noisily by Carrion Crows before flying off northwards still pursued by their raucous, and much smaller, cousins.
After no reports of Kestrel over the park in 2023, it is encouraging that one of these small raptors was seen over the park on 17th. Two Sparrowhawks, also on 17th, included a food begging juvenile which suggests that successful breeding occurred somewhere within the general vicinity of the park.
The above-average temperatures this month were responsible for there being one of the site’s Red-necked Terrapins out of the water on the fallen tree trunk at Wilderness Pond on 27th.
Prior to this month, the highest-recorded total of Mandarin Ducks on Wilderness Pond had been 36 on September 20th, 2020; however, on November 8th at least 43 were counted at this site which is the highest total ever recorded in Suffolk. At least 35 were still present on the 12th, after which, totals did not exceed 28 for the remainder of the month.
Up to four Cormorants had been roosting in the top of an oak tree on the main Wilderness Pond Island in late October. However, following the fireworks display in the park on November 2nd, none was present at the roost site for the remainder of November and no more than two Cormorants were noted during daylight hours on either of the two main ponds.
Late in this month, six Little Grebes were on Wilderness Pond where other sightings included 45 Mallards (24th) and two Grey Herons (28th).
A particularly interesting sight on the 3rd involved a Sparrowhawk pursuing a Woodcock low over the Lower Arboretum – the Woodcock avoided its pursuer. 
What might have been the same Woodcock was flushed from the Wilderness Pond wood on the 4th.
Three juvenile Moorhens on Round Pond had been first noted at this site when they were newly hatched chicks on July 14th.
Totals of Mandarin Ducks on Wilderness Pond did not exceed 18 until late in the month when there were 28 on the 29th, increasing to 35 on 31st. On the latter date, two pairs were observed copulating and there was much chasing, posturing, and shoving amongst the males.
Additional reports from the Wilderness Pond included one, and sometimes two, Grey Herons and up to six Little Grebes. On some occasions, there were no Canada Geese on the Pond but 15 flew in from the south at 08.45 on 29th. Cormorants had been conspicuous solely by their absence since the fireworks display on November 2nd but one was back on the Wilderness Pond on the 31st.
A Woodcock was flushed from the Bridleway on 10th and a Common Buzzard flew low westwards on 31st being mobbed by up to 15 Magpies. A Tawny Owl was heard calling in the Wilderness Pond woodland early on 10th with a second bird responding from the direction of the Upper Arboretum.
Resumption of Mistle Thrush song was noted on the 6th at the north end of the park. Another Mistle Thrush vigorously defended the clumps of mistletoe growing on the trees immediately west of the Mansion throughout November and December.
The fallen tree trunk on Wilderness Pond has been a feature of this site for several years and much used by ducks, geese, gulls, and Cormorants. However, it has been noted recently that, as the wood has rotted still further, it is now much lower in the water.
As in January 2024, freezing conditions this month resulted in an influx of Mandarin Ducks 
to the unfrozen northern end of Wilderness Pond with as many as 40 being present on the 12th. Three days later, with only about 20% of the pond being frozen as a thaw set in, only 23 of these distinctive ducks could be located.
Early in the month, there were several days when no Canada Geese were present on Wilderness Pond. However, by 19th an obvious male/female pair was present and on 30th four pairs were noted. Also on Wilderness Pond, up to three pairs of Little Grebes were present throughout the month and Mallard totals peaked at 50 on the 19th.
The most notable passerine * report involved a Firecrest in the Holm Oaks adjacent to the tennis courts, on the 18th. The year’s first report of a Grey Wagtail was on the 14th, and it is encouraging to report three sightings of single Treecreepers. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming at the north end of the park on the 29th. By the month’s end, there were two singing Song Thrushes in the vicinity of Wilderness Pond and the Mistle Thrush remained defending its territory amongst the clumps of mistletoe in the trees immediately west of the Mansion.
With many thanks to Brian Macdonald and Mark Dowling for their contributions to this article.
Editor’s Note – “Passerine” – ‘Denoting birds of a large order distinguished by having feet that are suited to perching including all songbirds’
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