The last vestiges of summer involved a singing Chiffchaff on 1st and two Swallows on 6th. Conversely, the first incoming Redwings and Fieldfares were noted on the 7th and 21st, respectively, but there was no large arrival of either species during the course of the month. Skylarks were formerly a regular autumn bird over the park but, as with so many other species, have become more irregular in recent years; as such, the sight of four over the Upper Arboretum on 8th was very welcome.
A noisy group of 30 Jackdaws flew north high over the park on the 17th.
The highlight on Wilderness Pond was 34 Mandarin Ducks at the first light on the 25th, but an hour later, only about ten were present. Are some of these ducks using the park as a roosting site before going elsewhere to feed during the daylight hours? It was noted that many of the Mandarin Ducks were in pairs – there was much chasing, calling, posturing and head-bowing amongst the males. Mallard totals peaked at 40 on the 19th, and these ducks were noted copulating regularly during the month.
Four cormorants were present up to the 22nd, but only one at the month’s end. Up to 17 Canada Geese were recorded, but on several dates, none were present. Six Little Grebes were noted on various dates, involving two pairs on the large open area and one pair at the northern end.
Typically for October, Jays were much in evidence. A Grey Wagtail was seen from the wooden footbridge on the 5th. Birds of prey involved up to three Common Buzzards and regular sightings of a Sparrowhawk.
A Ring-necked Parakeet in trees in the vicinity of the War Memorial on 2nd was the first to be recorded in the park since October 2024 – Carrion Crows chased it away.
Thrushes were much in evidence this month. Loose gatherings of Blackbirds in the Lower Arboretum involved at least 15 on 2nd and 13 on 30th – these were probably recent arrivals from the continent. The highest total for Redwing was 50 heading west on 7th, and 15 Fieldfares were noted flying westward on 18th. Late in the month, singing thrushes in the Lower Arboretum involved a Song Thrush on the 30th and a Mistle Thrush on the 25th and 27th; what was probably the same Mistle Thrush was noted on several occasions from the 16th, feeding on the bunches of Mistletoe in the trees adjacent to the Mansion.
Birdlife on the ponds was somewhat sparse. As in 2024, no Cormorants were seen on the ponds after the annual fireworks display on the 1st. Maximum totals of other waterbirds, mainly on Wilderness Pond, involved 19 Mandarin Ducks, 30 Mallards, 15 Canada Geese, 15 Moorhens and five Little Grebes. Black-headed Gulls were ever-present on the ponds, peaking at about 110 on the 9th.
Fine, clear days on 4th and 7th witnessed westerly movements of Wood Pigeons high over the park, totalling about 125 on 4th and 100 on 7th. Sightings of birds of prey involved a Sparrowhawk and two Common Buzzards.
Before this month, all sightings of Little Grebe in the park had been on Wilderness Pond; as such, the presence of a Little Grebe on Round Pond from 10th until at least 25th was noteworthy. At least four Little Grebes remained on Wilderness Pond throughout the month. 
One of the two white domesticated ducks that had been released illegally on Wilderness Pond in October 2022 had not been seen since November 30th this year – the second bird of this pair was not seen after December 5th.
There were sightings of Ring-necked Parakeet on at least three dates during the month, including two on the 21st.
On the 5th, only five Mandarin Ducks could be located on Wilderness Pond, but totals in the second half of the month were consistently above 20, with a maximum of 26 on the 31st. Observations showed that these small ducks arrived on Wilderness Pond just as it started to get light – where they had been during the night is unfortunately not known.
Three Mute Swans flew southwards over the park on the 31st. Black-headed Gulls are a constant feature of the ponds during the daylight hours in the winter months; totals of this small gull peaked at about 120 on the 25th.
By the month’s end, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush and Blackbird had all been heard singing in the Park.
Colder weather during the period from the 4th to the 11th resulted in some particularly interesting bird sightings. Round Pond froze over completely; typically, the northern 25% of Wilderness Pond remained unfrozen. Given these conditions, and as in recent years, there was an influx of Mandarin Ducks onto this unfrozen section of Wilderness Pond; it is thought these small ducks were forced to leave frozen-over ponds elsewhere. There were 23 Mandarin Ducks on 1st, but on 4th, there had been an increase to 36, and the total peaked at 40 on 11th. By the month’s end, with milder conditions prevailing, the total of Mandarin Ducks had declined to no more than 25.
Up to four Little Grebes remained on Wilderness Pond during the colder weather, and one Little Grebe was on Round Pond on the 18th. This latter bird attracted much attention from Black-headed Gulls, which were probably hoping that the grebe would bring food to the surface.
An adult Common Gull was on the ice on Wilderness Pond with Black-headed Gulls on the 4th. Surprisingly, an adult Lesser Black-headed Gull was present on the ponds on the 21st and 26th; we do not normally see this large species of gull back on the ponds until February – this bird was either an early returnee or an overwintering individual.
On the 11th, other sightings linked to the colder weather included five Lapwings flying northwards high over the park, a Woodcock in flight over Snow Hill and 30 Redwings feeding on the berries on a Holly tree close to the Mansion.
Birds were quick to respond when milder conditions prevailed in the second half of the month. A Mistle Thrush and two Song Thrushes were regularly heard singing, and the first Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming on the 26th. A male Sparrowhawk in display flight high over the park was, surprisingly, joined by a second male on 24th. An overwintering Blackcap was heard in subdued song from within shrubbery at the Bolton Lane entrance on 28th. The site’s first Grey Wagtail of the year was at Wilderness Pond on 23rd.
A fortunate observer saw two Ravens over the park on 18th, two Common Buzzards on 24th were given a hostile reception by Carrion Crows, and a Peregrine was over the Mansion area on 16th.
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.
