Ipswich photographer spots new owlets in Christchurch Park

Paul Sherman, who has been following wildlife in Christchurch Park since 2012, has photographed many generations of owls born in the grounds, and his most recent sighting was of three tawny owls on Sunday (May 26).

"It's always around May time that they come out of the tree," he said.

Mr Sherman says he has noticed that each new brood of owlets is born in the same tree - a tree near the Westerfield Road entrance to the park, marked out by a carving of a wooden owl.

He said: “I believe this brood was born in this tree too, then moved to the tree next to it, and then they will probably move to a different tree next.

Mr Sherman spotted the owlets near the Westerfield Road entrance. (Image: Paul Sherman)

“It’s a process called branching. It will be a case of finding them again in a week or two, as they would have moved to a different tree.”

In recent years, a tawny owl known as Mabel – named by staff at the park - made headlines and was even the subject of a book from Suffolk artist Reg Snook.

A few years later, a new owl appeared in the same spot which park rangers believed was one of Mabel’s chicks, later named Matilda by readers of the Ipswich Star.

It will be a case of finding them again in a week or two, he said. (Image: Paul Sherman)

Last year, when new owls were spotted, some believed these were Matilda’s offspring.

Mr Sherman said: “I don’t think we have seen Mabel for the last three years, as there has been a change in behaviour.

“Mabel would raise her young and take her young to a tree near the toilet block, while for the last few years, they have been in trees near the road.

"I usually go up to try and find them when I think the young have been born, and I was fortunate enough to find them this weekend."