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. Lowland Fairmile Common Heath, grassland, woodland and Across the Esher Commons, the areas of marsh, bog and open scattered remnants of the open water present a rich variety of heath which survive are habitats supporting many dominated by ling heather where species of plant and animal life. the soil is dry. This is often mixed with bell heather, bracken and various grasses supporting a Oxshott Heath range of characteristic heathland In autumn the Esher insects. In the lower, wetter Commons provide an ideal areas the heathland is dominated environment in which fungi by purple moor grass, thrive. Some species to cross-leaved heath and several look out for are the bright species of sphagnum moss. red and poisonous fly In amongst the heather, yellow agaric and the stinkhorn. flowers of gorse and the In all, there are over 3,000 smaller dwarf gorse stand out. species of fungi recorded on Esher Common. During the Fairmile Common typifies the summer months, south facing slopes, such as Oxshott Heath, pockets of remnant heathland warm up readily in the sun and provide suitable habitat for a and supports a range of range of insects and reptiles, namely lizards and grass characteristic insects including snakes. These reptiles can be found basking in most sunny the scarce silver-studded blue areas of the Esher Commons provided there is enough dense butterfly. © Crown Copyright All Rights Reserved. ground cover for them to hide in. Elmbridge Borough Council 2007. Licence No 100024882 The Commons provide a superb area for walking, Horse riders Dog owners Fire horse riding, bird watching, jogging, dog walking and Always keep to the way marked rides and be By law, you are required to keep your dog under Fires can be as devastating to wildlife and habitats other outdoor recreational activities. mindful of people walking on the Commons. close control at all times and prevent it from as they are to people and property – so be careful disturbing wildlife and sensitive habitats such as not to drop a match or a smouldering cigarette at There are a number of car parks providing easy Cycling ponds and nesting areas. any time of the year. access to way marked signposted footpaths, Please keep to the way marked trail at all times. bridleways and permissive horse rides. Statutory Most of this trail is shared with permissive horse Everyone knows how unpleasant dog mess is and it Plants, animals and fungi footpaths are marked with a yellow arrow; these are rides. Please give way to walkers and horse riders can cause infections, so always clean up after your Discover the beauty of the natural environment and open to walkers only. The extensive network of on these tracks. dog and dispose of the mess responsibly. take special care not to damage, destroy or remove permissive horse rides is ideal for horse riders of all anything from the Elmbridge countryside. abilities; these rides are open to both walkers and Ride slowly and with caution, this is a cross-country Litter riders. trail with sharp corners and uneven ground. Litter and leftover food doesn’t just spoil the beauty Remember it is an offence to pick flowers or disturb of the countryside, it can be dangerous to wildlife wildlife. Please protect the environment and leave it Please follow the Elmbridge Countryside Code so and can spread disease. So take your litter home for others to enjoy. everyone can enjoy this valuable green space. with you, remember dropping litter, dumping rubbish and fly tipping are criminal offences..

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