Waterside countdown: 9. Buckler’s Forest
Welcome to the second in my series of pictorial guides. This time I’m showcasing my top ten favourite waterside viewpoints, selected from our ‘Greenspace on your doorstep’ directory.
At number 9 is Buckler’s Forest in Berkshire…
When I first visited Buckler’s Forest five years ago I was very impressed by the excavations for ponds and wetlands even though, at the time, hardly any water or vegetation was present. Every year since I have rejoiced at the steady colonisation by numerous grasses, sedges, rushes, and plants strongly associated with freshwater habitats such as Alder trees, Water Pepper, Reedmace and Water Plantain.
One of the many ponds at Buckler’s Forest, February 2022 [Click for full size]
Plants emerging from the water are particularly important for encouraging more pond life such as dragonflies, damselflies, water-boatmen, great diving-beetles – and, of course, amphibians. I have no doubt that in due course Buckler’s Forest will become a haven for frogs, toads and newts!
My favourite greenspace: Find out why Buckler’s Forest is former Warden Nick’s favourite.
For directions, information and more photographs, go to the Buckler’s Forest entry in ‘Greenspace on your doorstep’.
Warden Mike
Picture credits: Freshwater aquatic plants: Shell Natural History of Britain (1970); View of the pond: Thames Basin Heaths Partnership
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