Ian Short

This morning I was walking Isi and Josi along a backstreet of Woburn Sands, where we live, on the outskirts of Milton Keynes, when a stoat ran across the road in front of us. I’ve seen one before in Milton Keynes – in the grounds of the OU – but I’ve never seen one running across the street. I also saw a bullfinch this morning, near the OU, and a red kite (there seem to be a lot of those around this year).

Last year Ellie saw something more remarkable on the street in Woburn Sands: she was pushing Isi around in a pram when a metre-long grass snake slithered in front of them along the pavement for a short spell, trying to get away. Isi was saying “look Mummy, lavender!” and Ellie was saying “never mind the lavender – there’s a snake!” Isi didn’t pay any attention to the snake.

When I first arrived in Woburn Sands a few years ago I would see the odd cuckoo at this time of year. Not heard one for a couple of years now. Our swallow boxes remain empty; still time for them though.