Birds of Holywells Park

The park contains the remains of some elaborate water features and pond systems which were created as part of the Manor House gardens when previously owned by the Cobbold family of brewers. The current ponds are clearly attractive to a number of bird species resident in the park and they also attract a good number of others from the surrounding areas. None of the ponds are deep so diving ducks and grebes are very rare and do not linger if they do appear. The ponds tend to be heavily silted and overgrown but this in turn attracts shy waterfowl such as Mandarin Duck (and escaped Wood Duck)! Species such as Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail can also be regularly found. In Winter, Kingfisher numbers can rise to at least three. If the ponds ice up then the Kingfishers will move to the nearby wet docks and can then be found perched on boats, pontoons and rocks. The park holds good numbers of Mallard Ducks and Moorhens throughout the year and the populations will increase and decrease according to breeding and wintering birds. The following is a brief guide to the key ponds and water features.

The Dell Pond is a small pond situated in the eastern woodlands near to the Leaf Yard. It is surrounded by damp ground and is frequently home to Moorhens and on occasion Mandarin Ducks. The steep slopes which surround the pond have a mixture of trees and shrubs and can be very good for warblers in the Spring, especially Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. In the Winter it is a very good place to see and hear Great Spotted Woodpeckers and the tit species along with Treecreeper and Goldcrests.

Pond 1. This pond normally holds a Water Rail over the Winter period. The pond remains a good area in which to see Kingfisher in the Winter and Mandarin Duck in the Spring. The tall trees surrounding the pond are good for Great Spotted Woodpecker and also hold Grey Heron and Cormorant.

 Pond 2. This pond attracts Moorhen and Mallard Duck despite being heavily overgrown. In January 2009, an elusive Water Rail was heard calling and it is now a favourite haunt of Little Egrets.

Pond 3. This pond is mainly occupied by Mallard Duck, Mandarin Duck and Moorhen although in the Winter months Black Headed Gulls will often be present bathing and cleaning themselves. As with all the ponds check any over hanging branches for Kingfisher.

The Moat. This is an area of connected water ways roughly surrounding the playground area. In Spring, there is a chance of Mandarin Duck and Canada Geese being present. In Winter, the overhanging shrubs and hedge line will provide perches for Kingfisher. The trees surrounding the moat, especially the birches and alders will also attract Siskin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and (very occasionally)Bullfinch and Lesser Redpoll.

The Paddling Pool. This stretch of water is worth looking at for Grey Wagtail in the Spring as well as ducks and Moorhen. It's also a good place to see frogs, toads and hunting Grass Snakes in the warmer weather. In the Winter, it has held Common Snipe and a very lost looking drake Teal.

The Wilderness Pond. The trees surrounding the pond hold good numbers of finches in Winter, especially, Goldfinches and Siskins feeding in the Alders and Birches. The trees hold warblers in the Summer and Autumn and this is great place to find Treecreeper. The pond itself is a favoured area of Mandarin and in 2008 was the best place in the park to see the species.

The Swamps are a series of loosely connected ponds and streams that run along the western edge of the park between the Canal Pond (Pond 8) and the Myrtle Road entrance. The vegetation surrounding the water is quite dense and is attractive to Moorhen, Kingfisher and general woodland birds looking for a safe place to drink. In 2010 it has also produced Water Rail. In Summer, it will regularly dry up but is still a good area for Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs. It can also be a sun trap too in places and is, therefore, a good location for the park's reptiles and insects.

 Pond 8, The Canal Pond, South Side (above) and North Side (below)

The Canal Pond (8). This piece of water has held a number of duck species including, Pochard, Tufted, Mandarin, Wood Duck and Teal. The over hanging trees on the north side are worth a long look for roosting Grey Heron and ducks in eclipse plumage. The open water can play host to good numbers of Black Headed Gulls which may also include a Common Gull. It regularly attracts Grey Herons and up to 3 can be seen when the conditions are right. The tall trees surrounding the pond have held Cormorants and a roosting Little Egret. The island in the middle has hosted breeding Canada Geese in the past as well as breeding Mallard, Mandarin and Moorhen. The pond is a great place to stand and watch wildlife and be rewarded with species such as Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and both finch and tit flocks passing through.   

The Canal. This narrow piece of water runs from the Canal Pond to the sluice next to the Cliff Lane entrance. There are always good numbers of Mallard Duck and Moorhen to be seen. The trees and bushes hold a variety of species which vary with the seasons. In Spring, the song of Chiff Chaff and Blackcap can be heard all around and in Winter, mobile flocks of Long Tailed Tits can entertain. It's also worth checking the tall treetops in Winter for thrushes such as Redwing and Fieldfare as well as mobile finch flocks.