Natural History of Mitcham Common

Natural History

Seven Islands Pond Area

As its name suggests, this area houses Seven Islands Pond, the biggest and best known of the ponds on the Common. The pond was created by early 19th century gravel extraction, which was required for the growing number of roads. The pond is full of life including birds, frogs, toads and dragonflies. Approximately half of this area has been used for rubbish dumping during the mid 20th century. The areas both sides of Cedars Avenue were used for dumping in the mid 1940’s, and the hill opposite the Ecology Centre on the edge of Windmill Road and Croydon Road was used for dumping, being completed in 1960. Both of these areas are now dominated by vegetation associated with waste ground and disturbance.

This area comprises relatively large patches of acid grassland to the north and east of the pond, which are of significance because it is a habitat under much pressure nationally, and is home to important assemblages of plants and animals. There are also significant tracts of woodland and scrub mainly along Croydon Road and Commonside East.

link to map

One Island Pond Area

Again this area has been subject to the tipping of rubbish and is dominated by the hills created from this tipping, which surround the pond. The hills were completed in 1984. Here however, the topsoil used to cap the hills included wild flower seeds, which create an altogether different scene during the summer months than those encountered on the Seven Islands sites. The pond is a result of gravel extraction during the early 19th century, and is home to a variety of birds, frogs, toads and dragonflies.

The main habitats, apart from the pond, in this area are neutral grassland on the hills, scrub between the hills and Redhouse Road, and woodland along Beddington Lane.

link to map

Mill House Area

The Ecology Centre on Windmill Road, serves as a base for the staff who manage the Common. Next door to the Ecology Centre is the Mill House pub, the car park of which holds the remnants of the old windmill that was once in use here. Behind these buildings are the old football pitches that are now managed as neutral grassland, but were used as a tipping site, being reinstated after the Second World War. Further up Windmill Road is the Windmill Trading Estate which has been there in one form or another since 1782. East of Windmill Road are areas of acid grassland, scrub and woodland which together provide an interesting mosaic of habitats.

link to map

Bidders Area

Again this area’s topography has changed in recent years due to the tipping of inert waste, which forms the hills east of Watney’s Road. Between the hills lies Bidder’s Pond, created in 1990 and named after George Parker Bidder QC, who was instrumental in saving the Common for future generations to enjoy. In the north-west region of this area lies Arthur’s Pond, believed to have been created in the 17th century. Both ponds have an abundance of frogs, toads and dragonflies.

The main habitat on the area is neutral grassland on the hills interspersed with smaller regions of acid grassland. The once grand line of elms lining Commonside East succumbed to Dutch Elm disease in the 1970’s and has now reverted to elm scrub.

link to map

Golf Course

Mitcham Golf Club boasts an enviable array of settings amongst its 18 holes, and is managed in a way sympathetic to them and their wildlife occupants. Habitats here include acid grassland, seasonal ponds and ditches, and the largest areas of heathland and woodland on the Common. These support a host of plants and wildlife, some of which are rare.

The golf course has received much upheaval in its history such as turf removal and extensive re-designing, but is now an area where golfers and walkers can both get pleasure from what it has to offer.

link to map

Gunsite

This is one of the sites that has received no tipping, and consequently supports a good example of extensive high quality acid grassland. The Gunsite is so named because during the Second World War it held anti-aircraft gun emplacements. This area receives fewer visitors than the rest of the Common because it is surrounded by the golf course, railway line, sewage works and Carshalton Road, making it less accessible.

link to map

Mill Green

The main habitats here are neutral grassland and amenity grassland. This area on the Common is the one most intensively managed for amenity use, and large areas of grass are mown and kept short during the summer months, and is utilised by locals for football and picnics. This management has been relaxed in recent years allowing for more natural vegetation to colonise certain areas and enhance its conservation value.

Mill Green is dissected by two waterways. One is the Beddington Effluent Carrier, which takes treated effluent from the sewage works to the River Wandle. The other is a ditch, which was once part of a branch of the River Wandle.

link to map