Mysterious photos that show a flock of sheep standing in a bizarre circle pattern have baffled social media users.

And the man who spotted the strange phenomenon says he initially believed it was a spaceship like "something out of the X Files".
Sheep Circle
© Jam PressA dad out for a cycle was baffled after spotting a flock of sheep gathered in a circle.
Christopher Hogg, of village Rottingdean in East Sussex, was out on his bike when he saw the sheep gathered together.

The 47-year-old said: "I was on my daily cycle when I came over the hill and saw this magnificent circle.

"At that point I was about half a mile away, which made me think that whatever it was, it was huge.

"It was saucer-shaped, like an alien ship.

"And it was beautiful - but also a bit too weird for comfort.

"I cycled a bit closer and then realised the circle was made of sheep."

Sheep Circle2
© Jam PressLecturer Christopher Hogg first saw the circle from afar - and said he believed at first it could be a spaceship.
Christopher, a lecturer at Royal Holloway University, cycles past the flock every day - but said he's never seen the creatures behave that way before.

"The sheep are usually noisy," he said.

"I go past them every day, but this day they were very still and calm.

"It was so quiet, like they were in a trance. It was very eerie."

Christopher said his wife Victoria and son Louis thought the photos were "nuts".

He then shared the image on Facebook, where other users have since tried to work out why the sheep behaved in such a way.

Sheep Circle3
© Jam PressBut as he drew nearer, he realised the deeply strange sight was actually sheep
"There was lots of debate as to whether it was a crop or flock circle, or if the sheep were being summoned by a strange force," he said.

"Others thought they might be pranking the farmer.

"We all agreed it was a mystery that warranted the recall of Mulder and Scully."