September 2020

13 Buckden Roundabout September 2020 Buckden Wildlife Buckden Wildlife During lockdown, I made a conscious effort to get a full picture of the birds breeding in Buckden and was able to reach, and surveyed, all corners of the Parish area this breeding season. There are some positive figures for some species, both familiar and scarce. Its ’ s always good to then see the product of the breeding attempts later in the year as the youngsters emerge successfully from holes, crevices and nests! One of my highlights was the four Cuckoos together north of Mill Road that I saw from my garden in courtship chases. Red Kites are doing well and you may will no doubt have been see- ing these magnificent birds drifting over all parts of the village and surrounding areas this year in particular. We have at least four breed- ing pairs now in Buckden Parish. All three Kingfish- ers in the Ouse Valley here raised young suc- cessfully. They were giv- ing fine viewing in July with some very close views of the youngsters as they practised their fishing techniques. Overall it has been a pretty good spring and summer weather - wise despite the other challenges we have faced. The dry weather meant that many of our orchids, especially those growing in exposed, sun - baked spots, failed to reach their usual heights. Nevertheless, Bee Orchids grew on sites in the Ouse Valley as did Pyramidal Orchids and Southern Marsh Or- chids; all fortunately safe from the far too frequent mowing going on, seem- ingly prompted by a strange desire for bowl- ing - green - nothingness over beautiful, colourful flowers teeming with bees and other wildlife … White - letter Hairstreaks, a scarce butterfly that needs elm for its life cy- cle, were again on Stirtloe Lane in summer on the south side of all the new housing. I was pleased to find several here when I looked for a second year and also one by the sewage treat- ment works – a smelly, but important Buckden wildlife site! It was good to see others coming and looking for, and seeing them, after I posted my sightings on Butterfly Conservation ’ s website. My Greenway garden backing onto the fields north of Mill Road has produced some nice creatures over the summer, in- cluding first county rec- ords of a rare beetle and a moth and a few other county “ firsts ” elsewhere in the Parish. I was lucky to have extra time each day to survey, and record, our wildlife during lock- down and working at home, rather than travel- ling to Sandy and back every day. I hope you ’ ve also been able to make more wildlife discoveries close to home this year. In August, look out for young buzzards – the pair that always nests near me have noisy young that I can hear as I type, but there are others. Keep an eye out for Clouded Yel- lows and Painted Ladies – migrant butterflies that love the field margins and large area of “ set - aside ” left on the land north of Mill Road which makes it such a wildlife haven. It has been full of insects and wildflow- ers as usual here. A rare Glossy Ibis here was one of the highlights of the year rarity - wise, but prospecting Avocets, nocturnal - migrating Common Scoters, Whimbrels and breeding Little Ringed Plovers, Barn Owls and Shel- ducks all gave their seal of approval. I hope all readers are well. It has been great to chat to some of you, socially - distancing, over the last few weeks and months and to hear of your sightings, especially all the great things you are doing for nature in your gardens and what you ’ ve been seeing. Such a large percentage of the British population have reported in surveys feeling more connected to nature after lockdown and that being in nature makes them happy. I hope decision makers keep this in mind and we get a true “ green recov- ery ” - both nationally, as well as locally here in Buckden as important decisions are made about the future. Mark Ward is a nature author and the RSPB ’ s Editor - in - Chief, producing its magazines and other communications for its 1.1 million members. His latest book, “ Wildlife on Your Doorstep ” is based on his experiences with the wildlife of the Buckden area. It is available from Amazon and all good booksellers. Pyramidal orchids in Buckden Bee orchid Hornet moth freshly emerged at Buckden Marina in June Painted Lady butterfly - photo courtesy of Jean - Pol Grandmont Common Shelduck