Exploring the Esher Commons Part 2
West End includes a network of ponds and drainage ditches, providing a superb environment for species Starfruit that depend on wetland As a result habitats. Dragonflies and of regular Arbrook Common Damselflies can be seen management, The woodland areas support during the summer months hunting for prey over the open the ponds of a great variety of wildlife. water and through the woodland glades. Water scorpions, West End are Deciduous trees to be found diving beetles and freshwater shrimp all thrive. also home to a include pedunculate oak, rare water silver birch, sweet chestnut, plant, Damasonium alisma, grey sallow, rowan and beech. Ledges (West End) commonly known as starfruit. Coniferous (evergreen) trees There is an area of mature woodland, much Indeed in 2005, Chequers Pond are mainly scots pine, corsican of which is ancient, above the River Mole at was the only recorded flowering pine, western hemlock, larch the Ledges. Springtime provides an site in Britain. and norway spruce. impressive display of wildflowers including The birdlife is rich and varied bluebells, ransoms or ‘wild garlic’ and in the particularly on Arbrook wetter areas, marsh marigolds. Common and many uncommon During the summer months Himalayan species nest here. Look out Balsam flourishes adjacent to watercourses, as it does for green and greater spotted throughout Britain. Initially a garden escape in the mid 19th woodpeckers, goldcrests, century, this highly invasive plant is controlled by various jays, nuthatches, warblers and management techniques to limit its distribution. tits as well as birds of prey such as kestrels, sparrowhawks and tawny owls. The geology of the Esher Commons is fairly typical of the area, the site lying partly on the acidic soils of the Bagshot Beds and Plateau Gravels locally overlain with peat, and partly on the damp clay soils of the Claygate Beds in the east.
[Show full text]