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Today the Commons are predominantly covered by mixed woodland in various stages of maturity, but the Commons have not always been wooded. In fact, most of the area was formerly open heathland used as common grazing land. Like many lowland heaths in Britain, it has not been grazed for many years and 'semi-natural secondary' woodland has grown over much of the site. The significance of the variety of habitats has led to most of the Commons complex being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by |English Nature, the statutory body which enables and promotes nature conservation in England.
The geology of the 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 heath, grassland, woodland and areas of marsh, bog and open water present a rich diversity of habitats supporting many species of plant and animal life.
The scattered remnants of the open heathland which survive are dominated by Ling-heather (Calluna vulgaris) where the soil is dry. This is often mixed with the brightly coloured flowers of Bell Heather (Erica cinerea), tall emerald fronds of Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) and various grasses. These and the many other plants present provide food, shelter and hunting ground for a vast range of characteristic heathland insects.
At Fairmile Common, where the Bell Heather is plentiful and the fine-leaved grasses are rabbit grazed, the Silver-studded Blue (Plebius argus) butterfly occurs. This butterfly, along with many other plants and animals found on the Commons, are a part of the |U.K. Biodiversity Action Plan (U.K. BAP). Over the years the range of this butterfly has declined throughout the U.K., making the Silver-studded Blue a U.K. BAP priority species.
Elmbridge Borough Council's Countryside Team have been working with |Surrey Wildlife Trust Countryside Services (SWT CS) to increase the range of this isolated butterfly on suitable heathland sites in Surrey . This species relocation programme was orchestrated by SWT CS Ranger James Adler during the summer of 2005. The SWT website has published a full account of the |Silver-studded Blue release programme which explains in detail the methods used and the ecology of this butterfly.
In the lower, wetter areas the heathland is dominated by the tussock forming Purple-moor Grass (Molinia caerulea), the glaucous foliage of Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix)and several species of Sphagnum Moss. In amongst the Heather, the yellow pea-flowers of Gorse (Ulex europaeus) and the comparatively diminutive Dwarf Gorse (U. minor) stand out.
The Commons, especially around West End, have many boggy, wetland areas and networks of ponds. Various species of dragonfly and damselfly breed in the ponds and can be seen in summer hunting for small insects in open areas and along the woodland rides. Two of the species that the Commons originally received their SSSI notification for belong to the order Odonata (Dragonflies and Damselflies), the Brilliant Emerald Dragonfly (Somatochlora metallica) which inhabits usually acidic woodland pools and glades, and the notable Small Red Damselfly (Ceriagrion tennllum) which is confined to heathland areas.
There are areas of ancient woodland around the area dubbed 'The Ledges' (due to the sheer sandy slope down to the River Mole) . The spring flora found here is particularly characteristic of ancient woodland, such as carpets of nodding Bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scriptus), the grand golden inflorescences of the Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) and the complementary Golden Saxifrage (Chrysospleniumspp.). Other specialities include the rather locally distributed Large Bitter-cress (Cardamine amara) and the nationally rare Greater Dodder (Cuscuta europaea), which is parasitic on Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica). Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) has become naturalised along many rivers in the area, having invaded from peoples gardens, and is spectacularly successful here to the detriment of out native flora if it is not removed.
The woodland areas throughout the Commons support a great variety of wildlife. Deciduous tree species to be found include Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur), Silver Birch (Betula pendula), Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa), Grey Willow (Salix cinerea), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and Beech (Fagus sylvatica).
The birdlife of the woodland is rich and varied, particularly on Arbrook Common and many uncommon species nest here. Look out for green and greater spotted woodpeckers, goldcrests, jays, nuthatches, warblers and tits as well as birds of prey such as kestrels, sparrowhawks and tawny owls. Local bird groups, |Surbiton and District Bird Watching Society and |Surrey Bird Club, can provide more information about birds on the Commons and the surrounding areas.
Coniferous (evergreen) trees present on the Common are mainly the once native Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), which supports a number of specialised fungi in its needle litter. The nests of Wood Ants (Formica rufa) created from dropped needles and leaf litter can be seen on the edges of Pine woods and open heathland; these nest mounds are sometimes attacked by Green Woodpeckers as the ants are a favourite food.
Other coniferous species include Corsican Pine P. nigra var. maritima, Western Hemlock Tsuga heterophylla and Norway Spruce Picea abies. These introduced and non-native species are of little value to wildlife.
In autumn the Commons provide the ideal environment for fungi including the bright red and poisonous Fly Agaric Aminita muscaria. The Commons fungi are richly recorded by experts from the |Elmbridge Natural History Society and there are now thought to be over 3 000 separate species - this is more than any other site of comparable size on the planet!
The south slope of Oxshott Heath warms up readily in the sun and supports a unique population of solitary wasps which breed in warm bare sandy soil. Common lizards Lacerta vivipara and grass snakes Natrix natrix are also present here. These reptiles can be found basking in most sunny areas of the Commons provided there is enough dense ground cover for them to hide in.
Whatever your natural history interest, the Commons are well worth a visit. You never know what you might discover.
For more information on our sites please| contact the Countryside Team.
For more information on the natural history on the Commons take a look at our range of |Guided Walks throughout the year, or if you have any questions, pictures etc regarding wildlife on our sites then why not |contact the Countryside Team .