Wildlife in our Parks

Find out all about the exciting wildlife that call our parks their home, learn about how you can help protect our wildlife and discover new places to visit.

Hedgehogs
Find out about hedgehogs, plus discover plenty of tips to encourage them to visit your garden in Milton Keynes.
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Swans in our parks
Our native swan, the Mute Swan, is a beautiful and elegant bird which is abundant and widespread across the UK. The lakes, wetland nature reserves and rivers and canals in Milton Keynes all have resident Mute Swans and in the winter months their numbers may be swollen with visitors.
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Konik Ponies
In 2017 we introduced a herd of wild Konik ponies to the Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve, the new residents at the reserve, graze this area and provide a vital role in its management.
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Wildflower Meadows
Wildflower meadows are areas of grassland that where a variety of wildflowers grow - natural, native plants that are not cultivated. Many of our parks include wildflower meadows.
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Ponds
A pond is a relatively small body of fresh still water, either natural or man-made. Water sources are a vital part of habitats for all wildlife from birds to mammals, livestock and a life source itself for many of our invertebrates and amphibians.
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Great Crested Newts
Learn more about great crested newts and how you can help make a difference in Milton Keynes.
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Action for Wildlife
A wealth of wildlife can be found and experienced in our parks and green spaces across Milton Keynes. The land in our care includes ancient woodlands and recent plantations; old hedgerows and ‘veteran’ trees; grazing pastures and hay meadows; areas of scrubland; ponds, lakes, rivers and streams.
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Biodiversity Action Plan for Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes
This new Action Plan provides an overview of biodiversity across the county of Buckinghamshire and outlines the action necessary to conserve and restore wildlife in the face of the many threats our natural environment faces.
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Upcoming wildlife events in our parks:

Discover our parks

Elfield Nature Park
Facilities:
Elfield Nature Park is the hidden gem of Milton Keynes’ parks. A mixed landscape of woodland, grassland, scrub, ponds and ditches, the site is not normally open to the public but is very rich in flora and fauna.
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Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve
Facilities:
Set within Ouse Valley Park, the Floodplain Forest is the newest nature reserve in Milton Keynes and the most impressive wildlife habitat creation scheme in the city’s history.
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Linford Lakes Nature Reserve
Facilities:
The 37 hectare site is only open to permit holders. The reserve consists of a large lake, reedbeds, wet woodland and several small meadows interlaced with a number of smaller lakes and ponds. Four bird watching hides are located giving fine views of the wildlife and beautiful scenery.
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Stony Stratford Nature Reserve
Facilities:
In 2008 with support from the Riverside Parks Group, work began to re-establish Stony Stratford Nature Reserve as a major local wildlife park. Parties of volunteers have cleared islands of scrub allowing Wildfowl to nest. There are also renovated and painted bird hides and the ponds have been cleared of invasive vegetation as well as the restoration of a sand martin nest bank, which has enabled Kingfishers to nest successfully.
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Howe Park Wood
Facilities:
Howe Park Wood is an ancient woodland in the south west of Milton Keynes near Westcroft and Tattenhoe which boasts a rich variety of wildlife and fantastic on site facilities including toilets, a café and a small play area.
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