Since 1955 Ashtead Common has been part of Epsom and Ashtead Commons Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the diversity of breeding bird species and a National Nature Reserve since 1995 because of the rare invertebrates that live on the decaying wood of the numerous ancient trees. Over the whole common site covering 500 acres (200 hectares) there are over 2,300 ancient oak pollards. To view more information about the background, site description and management aims please view this link to the Ashtead Common NNR.
In 2015 the City of London Corporation that both owns and manages Ashtead Common were very keen to understand the effect of their land management on the butterfly and bird species on the northern boundary of the common so I volunteered to become a Transect Walker, specifically monitoring butterflies but also recording other flora and fauna.
The transect circuit covers 1770 meters along shaded tracks and rides through deciduous woodland with many ancient oak pollards, coppiced hazel, a small pond and several open grassy glades. Sections 3 and 4 of the transect also pass through two ancient Scheduled Monuments; a Roman Villa and Bath House complex and a triangular earthworks.
Butterfly species recorded on the transect since 2015.
Small Skipper
Essex Skipper
Large Skipper
Brimstone
Large White
Small White
Green-veined White
Orange-Tip [Only in April/May 2015]
Green Hairstreak
Purple Hairstreak
Small Copper [First recorded in July 2018]
Small Copper [First recorded in July 2018]
Brown Argus [Only in 2015 and 2018]
Holly Blue
Common Blue [First recorded in 2018]
White Admiral (Highest number recorded in 2018)
Red Admiral
Purple Emperor [Individuals recorded in 2015/2016]
Red Admiral
Peacock
Comma
Silver-washed Fritillary
Speckled Wood
Marbled White
Gatekeeper
Meadow Brown (Top recorded species in most years)
Ringlet
Odonata recorded on the transect.
Beautiful Demoiselle
White-legged Damselfly
Large Red Damselfly
Small Red Damselfly
Small Red Damselfly
Emperor
Southern Hawker
Brown Hawker
Broad-bodied Chaser
Black-tailed Skimmer
Common Darter
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