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On Friday 17 November, Gloucester the Dog, pictured above, hijacked our social media accounts and asked our followers to identify the mystical cluster of mushrooms he found on his walk In response to those who followed the thread, we solve the mystery below and it has nothing to do with dancing fairies! Fairy Rings on Banstead Commons Many different mushrooms form so-called fairy rings Some of these rough circles can be made out...
Read MoreBanstead Commons Conservators hosted a Walk of Remembrance, led by Tim Richardson, on Banstead Heath on Friday 10 November Despite the weather, military historian, long-time local resident and armed forces veteran, Tim kept everybody fascinated with his expert knowledge of events over the last century or so, that have left their mark on the Commons and on those who live and work on and around them His entertaining anecdotes revealing the...
Read MoreIt's that time again Not just mists and mellow fruitfulness but fungi of all shapes and sizes are nearly everywhere you look in the countryside at the moment Contrary to most people's perception, fungi are all around us throughout the year, not just the microscopic ones on which most other organisms depend, but also some large and attractive fruiting bodies can be found if you know where to look For example, bracket fungi grow on trees all year,...
Read MoreOver the last two years Preston and Tadworth residents and other users of the Burgh Heath woods could see close up the extensive reworking of the area around the Lonesome Ponds Although we are now approaching winter it is worth while remembering the improvements carried out at the Lonesome Ponds located near the Chetwode Road entrance to Burgh Heath woods And a reminder that spring and then summer are not too far away At the pond nearest...
Read MoreThe UK has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the second world war We are proud that Natural England have judged that the grassland areas on the Banstead Commons are in favourable condition Our dedicated management has enabled rare and vulnerable chalk-loving plants and animals to return and flourish Approximately half of the 1350 acres of Banstead Commons is designated "priority" grassland Two of our chalk downland sites –...
Read MoreDo you love nature on your doorstep Would you like to volunteer to help conserve Banstead Commons for future generations to enjoy and wildlife to thrive We are recruiting volunteers to join regular work parties that will be held on the four sites that make up Banstead Commons: Banstead Heath, Banstead Downs, Park Downs and Burgh Heath Tasks will include invasive species control, scrub clearance, coppicing and litter...
Read MoreOak Processionary Moth (OPM) caterpillars are now active and can be seen on the trunk and branches of oak trees on Banstead Downs and Banstead Heath The caterpillars feed and live exclusively on oak trees and defoliate the trees OPM caterpillars and their nests contain hairs that can cause itchy rashes, eye and throat irritations, and should not be touched under any circumstances at any time The greatest risk period is May to July when the...
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