Wildlife - MFFG

Entering the fields at Crossfield grove you first come across the lane that runs past the angler’s pond, the first part of the lane in summer is straddled either side by thick nettles and tall thistles, an ideal habitat and feeding ground for a host of insect life and the more noticeable butterfly population, including Comma’s and Orange tips.

Next on to the anglers pond a whole host of wildlife take refuge in a safe and secure habitat. Life on the pond starts to get going early March with the annual arrival of the Canada Geese to raise a brood, usually about eight, and boy do they take some looking after. The parents have a full time job keeping them safe from predators and generally showing them what to eat and how to survive.

All other residents carry on as normal with the Heron trying to catch a fish dinner, the Moorhens busy mooching in the lilies feeding their young and the odd plopping sound as the Kingfisher dives into the water for his dinner. Whist all around Water Voles and Shrews are busy on the banks foraging for seeds, with Mr Fox all the while looking on.

Going further up the lane on the lefthand side is the hospital field. This is home to various Badger sets and Rabbit warrens and the favourite place to see Fieldfare and Redwing that visit September to March from Northern Europe and Scandinavia, also a favourite hunting ground for the formidable Sparrowhawk, a top predator with lightning speed.

Crossing back over the lane into the top centre field is an open area that in early Spring you will find the striking Yellow Marsh Marigold. In summer it becomes a sea of yellow Buttercups with a sprinkling of Purple Northern Marsh Orchids.

Further in, the meadow changes to woodland with various types of trees, Oak, Norway Spruce, Silver Birch, Horse Chestnut and various others of which there are over twenty-five types on the fields. This is the home ground of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers and Tawny owls, both have successful nest sites in these woods.

Leaving the woods and proceeding down the Fred Perry Way that runs down next to the factory we head on to the next field.

Well here we are on what’s known as “The Big Field”, this a large open area with the iconic Oak tree as the main feature. This is home to the Mirrlees Buzzards, the largest of the predators, with a wingspan of about four feet, I have been photographing this pair for years and 2022 was their most successful to date with the rearing of three chicks to adulthood, affectionately named Mirrlees, Bickerton and Day after an early name of the factory on site. Along the edge of this field runs a stream where Grey Wagtails are at home, feeding their young on flies that are caught on the water.

Heading further into this field is where the Kestrel can be seen hovering, looking for unsuspecting prey on the ground, usually mice and field voles. Now heading North back towards the angler’s pond lies the last of the fields.

Here we are in the lower centre field, an oak tree lined stream with a central wood splitting the field into two halves, lots of tall mature trees where you can hear Chiffchaff, one of the first summer migrants from Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East amongst all the native birds that call these fields their home.

Now heading back to the lane and the angler’s pond where we started, hope this brief virtual tour has been of help to those that love this area as much as I do.

Peter.

Join our resident photographer Peter Wright on a virtual tour of Mirrlees Fields