Introducing the Patch - Sheep Fields - Views From An Urban Lake

It’s unusual of all the places on my patch the Sheep Fields are the area I see most of and yet are also the area I see little in. You see I can see these fields from my study window, It’s an obscured view through the trees that line the main grid road (its a Milton Keynes thing) that runs 50 years or so in front o my house, but I can see them none the less.

I also get to see them on my morning from the local bus stop, as I stand shivering in the frosts of winter or sweating in the heat of summer, waiting for the long blue vehicle that will whisky me away to work. I’ve witnessed some amazing sunrises, and been delighted by some thick fogs, but I’ve not really seen much wildlife here.

Introducing the Patch – Sheep Fields

The best birds, so far, have been Owls and Raptors, Buzzards and the occasional Red Kite will soar over through the day, easily seen above the expanse of well chewed grass (they are not called sheep fields for no reason). I have seen one Barn Owl (while waiting for a bus) heard a few Little Owls and a couple of Tawny’s (although the latter have always been from my bed, and just in this general direction).

Flooded Gate

But there is more to the sheep fields than first meet the eye. Sitting below the Old Church and Beside the Old Lock the area was once the site of a medieval village! The area floods quite badly in heavy rain. It is also the one place I’m sure I should see more Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails on passage. Sadly I don’t.