Setting: Marsh with high reeds tucked between school field and farmland. Buckingham Mountain and the rise on the opposite side of Route 263 frame the view of the valley to the south. Wildlife can be very active depending on the season, weather and time of day.
Explorable Op's: A few. Since it is a swamp, there isn't much active exploring to be done besides look for wildlife from the path and the gazebo.
Difficulty: Easy. Although the mulch on the path was very choppy when we visited and it was tough for small feet to negotiate.
Facilities: Paved parking at the township building and Buckingham Elementary School.
Review: I was surprised at how active this little marsh was with wildlife. With 413 and 263/202 not far off, I was expecting to feel like, well... here we are, looking at a swamp with heavy haulers barreling in from both sides. Thankfully the experience wasn't like that at all. Red-winged black birds we're busy doing they're thing: flying in and out of the catty-nine tails and never far out of our view. A dozen or so Turkey vultures circled riding the thermal winds coming up from the valley. About 20 feet from the gazebo we saw a snake slither through the tall reeds about a foot above the water level. It really felt like the place had a life and rhythm of its own.
Recommendations: It is a short trail. Not much to do but look around. If you're there on the weekend, park at Buckingham Elementary and have the kids play at the playground before you set off for the wetlands. The kids will probably be ready for a change of scenery and a wee adventure after the playground has run out of surprises for them. If you are going on a Saturday morning in spring, summer or fall, the Buckingham Farmers Market pops up in the parking lot of the township building. Make that your final destination after the wetlands tour and buy the kids a treat from one of the vendors. When you rally the troops, head back through the marsh to the playground. It makes for a nice Saturday morning for all.
For more information, check out: http://www.buckinghampa.org/
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