Historic maps show a number of small irregular enclosures. There has been quite a lot of boundary loss since the 1970s and some hedges have been reoriented. This may have been due to opencast coal mining on some of the land. An 1806 map names these enclosures as Birdwell Common. This may indicate the fields were not long enclosed. The farms around the common (HSY6963) date to the mid 18th century (Listed buildings online - Ref 333957), they may have been built at the same time as the enclosure. There is partial legibility of the former fields.