June 2021

21 Buckden Roundabout June 2021 Village News June 2021 At the time of writing, your local library is still open and en- joying seeing so many of you browsing and choosing books. Hands Face Space is still key - we have hand sanitiser stations throughout the library, ask all visitors to wear a face covering (unless exempt) and are limiting customer numbers to allow for good social distancing. Larger libraries have moved towards their full, pre - lockdown opening hours and we hope that Buckden will do so soon. Please keep an eye on Cambridgeshire Libraries website, and information in the library windows, for changes to our hours. for essential use only to access public services. Our opening hours remain the same for now: • Tuesday - 2pm - 6pm • Friday - 10am - 2pm Our library computers are still available for you to use. Please book on line or call Customer Services on the number below to reserve a time. Many people have enjoyed our Select and Collect service during lockdown, and this continues to be available for you. Using the form available on our website or by calling Custom- er Services you can tell us what you like to read by author, genre or subject and library staff will select books based on your choices for you to collect. Can ’ t get to us? Then we can come to you. Our Library at Home service is operating and can deliver books to you. Get in touch with Buckden library or our customer service team on the number below to find out more. Village Hall, Burberry Road, Buckden Tel: 0345 045 5225 www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/library The Library Presents are delighted to announce the launch of their new season of exciting arts events which will run from May to July 2021. The season will bring workshops and performances to out- door locations across Cambridgeshire and offer arts activities online. Full details of the programme, along with booking infor- mation can be found at www.library.live/the - library - presents Newts Newts are members of the Salamander family which has around 760 species worldwide, however there are estimated to be only 100 species Newt. There is little to differentiate the two groups, but Newts are known to spend a large amount of time out of wa- ter, over - wintering in log piles and other suitable nooks and cran- nies up to a kilometre away from the nearest pond. Salamanders on the other hand spend most of their lives in water with some species even retaining the gill structures they grow as larvae, such as the Axolotl. There are 3 native species of newt in the UK. The most common of these is the Smooth Newt, found through- out most of England and parts of Scotland and Wales, which grows to between 7 and 11cm long. As it name suggests, the most distinguishing feature of this species is the smooth- ness of the skin, which is nor- mally a brown colour. The males develop a continuous crest along their back during the breeding season but the black spotted or- ange belly is common to male and female. A less common and probably the least well - known species is the Palmate Newt, named for the webbing they have between their rear toes. This webbing is one of the features which can be used to tell male Pal- mate Newts apart from male Smooth Newts which are otherwise very similar. The females are also difficult to separate with the only difference being the throat markings on the female Smooth Newt that are absent on the Palmate Newt. Palmate Newts tend to have a slightly different habitat preference to Smooth Newts, showing more of an inclination to acidic water and more tolerance to dryer habitats. The third species, and perhaps the most well - known but least widespread, is the Great Crested Newt. Much larger than its cousins, growing up to 18cm long, its range is simi- lar to the smooth newt but more restricted. It is easily identified by its size, its dark colouration and its rough warty skin. In the breeding season the male grows an impressive ragged crest along its back and a similar but separate one on its tail. As well as our three native species there are two other, non - native, newts in the wild. Neither species, originating from es- capes or accidental releases, is particularly common but both are widespread in the south east of England. The Italian Crested Newt is a close relation of the Great Crested Newt but can be distin- guished by the yellow line down the middle of its back, whilst the Alpine Newt is very similar to both the Smooth and Palmate Newts. Whilst, like all amphibians, newts lay eggs, they do not copy their UK frog and toad cousins by laying masses of eggs. Instead the female will find a piece of vegetation such as reed leaf lay an egg on it and then wrap the frond of vegetation around to hide the egg. She will carry out this operation for every egg she lays, and whilst not as productive as frogs, she will lay 100s of eggs each breeding season. Keep an eye out for the wonderful amphibians but remember all newts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Great Crested Newts are a European Protected Species, meaning you have to have a special licence before you do anything that may disturb them. Greg Belcher, Snr Reserves Officer, Wildlife Trust at Grafham Water A female Smooth Newt and a male Great Crested Newt Photo: Juliana Griffiths