Ladywell Fields in Lewisham has been my local patch for the last 22 years, the park is made up of 3 separate fields and covers 54 acres. It was first mentioned in the Doomsday Book as meadows in the manor of Lewisham, a medicinal well - ‘our lady’s well’ - was first recorded in 1472 . It was reputed to be an effective cure for eye complaints, the well is now under the access road to Ladywell train station.
The river Ravensbourne runs through the park and on its banks one of the last remaining Elm trees stands a Great Trees of London plaque celebrates this fact.
Most of the common urban birds you would expect to find have been recorded over the years, Kingfishers have attempted to breed on a few occasions but not sure that they have been successful, Sparrowhawk, Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Grey Wagtail, Great-Spotted Woodpecker and Stock Dove have all bred in the park.
Rarer birds recorded over the years include Osprey, Red Kite, Hawfinch, Common Buzzard, Spotted Flycatcher and Lesser Whitethroat, over 22 years I have seen 68 species of bird in the park.
Today’s visit was typical of the birds seen in the Park, Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinch, Gold and Greenfinch, Stock Dove, Ring-necked Parakeet, Grey Wagtail, 20+ Redwings, Song Thrush and 3 Mistle Thrush. No sign of the Kingfisher today, on reaching home from collecting my daughter from school a large female Peregrine flew low over the house.
Below is a selection of photos taken in Ladywell Fields
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