John Buxton (ornithologist)

John Buxton (1912-1989) was a British ornithologist and conservationist, notable for his work on waders and wildfowl, particularly pink-footed geese and greylag geese.

Buxton was educated at Eton College and Trinity College, Cambridge. During World War II, he served in the Royal Artillery. After the war, he devoted himself to ornithology and nature conservation.

He conducted extensive fieldwork in Iceland and Scotland, studying the breeding and migration patterns of geese. His meticulous observations and ringing studies contributed significantly to understanding these species' population dynamics and behaviour. Buxton was a proponent of ethical fieldwork practices and advocated for responsible bird ringing.

Buxton was actively involved in several conservation organizations, including the Wildfowl Trust (now the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust), where he served on the council. He was also a member of the British Ornithologists' Union and the Scottish Ornithologists' Club.

His publications include papers in scientific journals and contributions to books on birds and conservation. He is remembered as a dedicated and knowledgeable ornithologist who made a lasting contribution to our understanding of migratory birds.