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. 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. Find out about hedgehogs, plus discover plenty of tips to encourage them to visit your garden in Milton Keynes. 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. In 2017 we introduced a herd of wild Konik ponies to the Floodplain Forest Nature Reserve, the new residents at the reserve, will graze this area and provide a vital role in its management.Action for Wildlife
Hedgehogs
Swans in our parks
Konik Ponies
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.
Refreshments
- 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.
Refreshments
There are no refreshment facilities at this location. - Linford Lakes Nature Reserve
Facilities:
The 37 hectare site 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.
Refreshments
There are no refreshment facilities at Linford Lakes Nature Reserve other than during special events. - 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.
Refreshments
There are no facilities at the reserve, but Stony Stratford high street is just a few minutes away. - Howe Park Wood
Facilities:
Howe Park is probably the woodland mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086. Parts of it may be rare surviving fragments of the 'wildwood' that covered the whole of lowland Britain after the last Ice Age, 6-11,000 years ago.
Refreshments
There is a Café at Howe Park Wood ran by Grounds. The café is operating a takeaway only service until further notice.
- Download our guide to Hedgehogs
- Swans in our Parks
