July 2018

Buckden Roundabout

July 2018

Buckden is incredibly rich in wildlife for everyone to enjoy - and benefit from. Research and scientific experiments have now

proven what we have always suspected: in addition to providing us with vital services, nature and green space officially brings

benefits to physical and mental health and general wellbeing, whatever your age.

I’ve monitored the wildlife daily, wherever I’ve lived in the county and Buckden, in my opinion, is the most important for nature.

It is home to hundreds of species of wildlife, many scarce and threatened, thanks to our open fields, hedgerows, scrub, gardens

and precious greenways. In and from my own garden, I have seen or heard more than 140 different species of birds and seen 15

species of mammal and 18 of butterfly in just seven years.

So what do the next few weeks hold in this very special part of the world?

Hopefully the birds have done well in the breeding season after the cold start to spring. The Skylarks that have declined terribly

in Britain have a precious home in some of our fields and it is wonderful to have heard so many singing this summer. Grey Par-

tridges, another nationally-important species, have been vocal too. Hopefully they have been able to raise their young, contrib-

uting important new birds to the declining national population. Keep an eye and ear out for both of these birds, hopefully in

post-breeding flocks, when you are out and about.

Many migrants such as Swifts, Swallows and House Martins were late

to arrive this year and they will be forming flocks feeding on the sum-

mer insects over the fields and village and, in the case of the latter two,

resting up on telephone wires.

Ivy is very valuable to wildlife and its flowers attract many hoverflies

that are beneficial to the gardener. We get Britain’s biggest species

here in Buckden – look for it on the ivy on walls around the village. This

striking insect has recently been given the English name Hornet Hover-

fly (pictured). You’ll understand why when you see one – they are

huge, but totally harmless and do not sting!

It’s a good time for butterflies. Look for the migrant Painted Lady and the

beautiful Red Admiral (pictured) on ivy and also on garden flowers and bud-

dleias.

Make the most of our wonderful wildlife over the next few weeks and re-

member there’s always something you can do to give nature a home.

Mark Ward

Buckden Wildlife

Hornet Hoverfly by Mark Ward

Red Admiral by Mark Ward

Buckden and Little Paxton Surgery

Patient Association 200 Club

June Draw Results

Bonus Prize £100 No.118 Mrs Jill Elliott

There are several numbers available for this year. All

patients of both Buckden and Little Paxton surgery are

entitled to become members. If you would like to join

please contact Sheena Wilkinson, Tel 810086.

£100 No. 160 Mrs Monica Taylor

£25 No. 88 Mrs Val James

£25 No. 176 Mr Mike Murray-Smith

£25 No. 40 Mr Bernard Hatswell

£25 No. 101 Mrs Peggy Hill

ROUNDABOUT SUMMER SOCIAL

Calling all Roundabout Distributors and Contributors!

The Roundabout Summer Social will take place

Thursday 26th July from 6.00PM

The Friends Refectory & Knot Garden

Buckden Towers

We look forward to seeing you all there!