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Category Archives: Nature Notes
Loyal reader Ben Clarke wins Bluebell in Lavenderland prize
Inside Croydon subscriber Ben Clarke is the lucky winner of a free family ticket to visit the Bluebell in Lavenderland experience at its Epsom site. Ben has been a loyal patron for this website since 2024, not only supporting our … Continue reading
Exclusive subscriber offer: Win a family ticket to Lavenderland
Spring is on its way, and we’ve teamed up with Mayfield Lavender to give away one family ticket (for up to four people) to the brand-new Bluebell in Lavenderland experience at its Epsom site.
Inspired by Attenborough, now Zoom in on some wild talks
NATURE NOTES: The London Wildlife Trust and the Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society have activities available – free of charge – for people to find out more about the wildlife in our city Peregrines and foxes, hedgehogs and parakeets … Continue reading
Posted in Activities, City Commons, Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society, Croydon parks, Environment, Nature Notes, Wildlife
Tagged Attenborough, BBC, CNH&SS, Croydon, Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society, David Attenborough, Hedgehogs, Hutchinson's Bank, London, London Wildlife Trust, Roundshaw Downs, Sir David Attenborough, Sussex cattle, Wild London
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Rare flowers seem common on our Midsummer’s dream walk
Our latest wildlife amble for Inside Croydon readers took place this week, with MOIRA O’DONNELL showing the way across a part of the North Downs with rare flora and fauna, and all just a tram ride away Photos by AUSTEN … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Hutchinson's Bank, Inside Croydon, Moira O'Donnell, New Addington South, Walks, Wildlife
Tagged bee orchid, Butterflies, Chapel Bank, common spotted orchid, Croydon, Downlands Trust, Glanville fritillary, Hutchinson's Bank, London Wildlife Trust, Moira O'Donnell, New Addington, pyramidal orchid, The Downlands Project
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Join us for our Midsummer’s dream walk at Hutchinson’s Bank
Inside Croydon is getting out and about again next week, with a guided walk through the flora of Hutchinson’s Bank to be led by local botany enthusiast, Moira O’Donnell. And YOU could join us on our Midsummer’s dream walk The … Continue reading
Posted in Activities, Charity, Croydon parks, Education, Environment, Hutchinson's Bank, Inside Croydon, Moira O'Donnell, Nature Notes, Walks
Tagged Butterflies, Featherbed Lane, Hutchinson's Bank, London Wildlife Trust, Moira O'Donnell, Nature conservation, New Addington, Orchids, Rambles, Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation, Surrey, Walks
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Mitcham Common walk – uses of local plants, July 10
Posted in Education, Environment, Nature Notes, Walks, Wildlife
Tagged Friends of Mitcham Common, Mitcham Common
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Bumper berry crop could save wildlife from winter storms
A bumper crop of hawthorn berries – reckoned to be the biggest since records began 20 years ago – is bringing a big boost for wildlife across Croydon’s commons and open spaces. Hedgerows and woodland across the nation are awash … Continue reading
Posted in City Commons, Croydon parks, Environment, Nature Notes, Wildlife
Tagged City Commons, Coulsdon Common, Farthing Downs, Redwing, Roundshaw Downs, RSPB, Wildlife Trust
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A summer evening stroll and close encounter with a triffid
NATURE NOTES: Our latest ambling ramble for readers took place last month on what for many would be the familiar territory of Roundshaw Downs. Yet with expert guidance, we were still able to discover one of nature’s more bizarre plants. … Continue reading
Roundshaw Ramble: Put some bird song into an evening amble
Inside Croydon’s doughty troup of walkers and nature-watchers are long overdue a return to Roundshaw Downs to catch up with the fascinating fauna and flora to be found there. That’s why next Thursday, June 15, we’ll be staging the latest … Continue reading
Fire, thunder and ice – real life drama up on Roundshaw Downs
NATURE NOTES: A year-long photo-diary of an area of exceptionally important wildlife habitat on our doorsteps is coming to a close, with nature so far resilient against the impact of the global climate crisis. But for how long? By STEVEN … Continue reading
Take a walk on the wild side with fungal foray in the woods
NATURE NOTES: Loyal reader ANTHONY MILLS takes a walk on the wild side – or what he calls a ‘fungal foray’ – with the City Commons Rangers through Croydon’s autumn woodland A fungal foray at Riddlesdown, part of the City … Continue reading
Posted in City Commons, Coulsdon, Croydon parks, Environment, Nature Notes, Wildlife
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Trust appeals against dumping of pumpkins in the woods
The Woodland Trust has issued a Halloween plea to witches, wizards and spooks everywhere not to endanger wildlife by dumping pumpkins in woodland. The country’s largest woodland conservation charity has noticed Halloween pumpkins being taken to the nearest wood and … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon parks, Environment, Nature Notes, Wildlife
Tagged halloween, Pumpkins, Woodland Trust
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Hosepipe ban ‘in weeks’ as second heat health warning issued
Five more days of 30-degrees-plus temperatures, and with no sign of rain any time soon has seen Thames Water follow other companies in issuing drought notifications The summer-long drought and another heatwave with temperatures over 30 degrees for several days … Continue reading
An evening stroll to track down one of our rarest butterflies
For our third group visit to local nature reserve Roundshaw Downs, we follow how the changing seasons and long hot summer are affecting the environment and wildlife in our midst. This is your chance to catch-up with Inside Croydon’s unique … Continue reading
After decades of clean-ups, we’re still polluting precious rivers
CROYDON COMMENTARY: After a week-long heatwave and record temperatures, LEWIS WHITE makes a case for us to cherish local rivers, such as the Wandle, bringing the water companies back into public ownership, and for an end to the concreting over … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon parks, Environment, Nature Notes, Planning, Wandle Park, Wildlife
Tagged Carshalton, Carshalton Ponds, Lewis White, River Wandle, Wandle Park
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Long dry summer has transformed the downs to straw-yellow
NATURE NOTES/JULY 2022: We seem to be racing through summer at speed, with Roundshaw Downs feeling the heat. By STEVEN DOWNES We’d been walking for almost two hours. Dave Warburton, the Sutton biodiversity officer, had been enthusiastically regaling us with … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon parks, Environment, Nature Notes, Wildlife
Tagged Dave Warburton, Purley Way, Roundshaw, Roundshaw Downs, Sutton
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Sutton Ecology Centre summer activities, from Jul 25
Posted in Activities, Education, Environment, Nature Notes
Tagged River Wandle, Sutton, Sutton Ecology Centre
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Springwatch: Join us for our latest guided nature walk, May 21
Make the most of the wonderful natural habitats on your doorstep and join us on Saturday, May 21, for the latest Inside Croydon guided walk. It will be a return visit to local nature reserve Roundshaw Downs, and once again … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Inside Croydon, Nature Notes, Walks, Wildlife
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Walk in the Roundshaw woods and revel in splashes of colour
NATURE NOTES/MAY 2022: Early spring flowers and woodland walks are not-to-be-missed treats. Plus news of the next Inside Croydon guided walk later this month Part of the sheer joy of Roundshaw Downs is its diversity. As wide open and wonderful … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon parks, Environment, Nature Notes
Tagged Bourne Society, Croham Hurst, Dave Warburton, Littleheath Wood, Nature Notes, Roundshaw, Roundshaw Downs
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Bumps and ‘bunkers’ to provide new homes for the small blue
NATURE NOTES/MAR 2022: Be careful what you wish for, as the February storms saw nature perform a handbrake turn before the first guided walk of our year-long nature watch project. By STEVEN DOWNES I’d muttered something about wanting the first … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon parks, Environment, Nature Notes, Wildlife
Tagged Dave Warburton, Roundshaw Downs, Sutton Biodiversity Team
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Heard before they’re seen, skylarks soar back over Roundshaw
NATURE NOTES/FEB 2022: Our year-long photostory continues with some welcome arrivals and the first signs of spring. PLUS: Join us for a gentle ramble next month They’re back. I saw my first skylark of 2022 a week earlier. When I … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon parks, Environment, Nature Notes
Tagged Nature Notes, Roundshaw, Roundshaw Downs, The Paddock
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Up on the Downs, watching for the missing signs of winter
NATURE NOTES/JAN 2022: The green, open spaces on our doorsteps are havens for a rich variety of wildlife. In the first of a year-long series of photostories, STEVEN DOWNES takes you for a walk Phew! What a scorcher! As no … Continue reading
Posted in Croydon parks, Environment, Nature Notes
Tagged Nature Notes, Roundshaw, Roundshaw Downs, The Paddock
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How Coulsdon’s downland oasis is helping to save the planet
NATURE NOTES: The City of London rangers who look after Farthing Downs, Coulsdon Common and other precious green spaces are as hard at work over the bleak midwinter months as the rest of the year, including important projects to unlock … Continue reading
Posted in City Commons, Croydon parks, Education, Environment, Friends of Farthing Downs, Gardening, History, Nature Notes, South London Downs NNR, Wildlife
Tagged Brian Hope-Taylor, City Commons, Coulsdon, Coulsdon Common, Farthing Downs, Friends of Farthing Downs and Happy Valley, Happy Valley
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There’s mushrooming interest in wildlife on local commons
NATURE NOTES: Winter visitors are eagerly awaited, while City Commons’ guided walks made some fascinating discoveries Winter birds, including redwing and fieldfare, are expected to start arriving on the green spaces in and around Farthing Downs, Coulsdon. These visitors fly … Continue reading
Posted in City Commons, Environment, Nature Notes
Tagged City Commons, Coulsdon Common, Farthing Downs, Kenley Common, Riddlesdown
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Goats settle in for their winter’s work at Riddlesdown Quarry
There are goats in Croydon. No kidding. That was the announcement made by City Commons yesterday, as goats were turned out to graze at Riddlesdown Quarry. City Commons is the part of the City of London Corporation which manages large … Continue reading
Posted in City Commons, Coulsdon, Croydon parks, Environment, Kenley, Nature Notes, New Addington South, Old Coulsdon, Purley, Sanderstead, South London Downs NNR, Whitgift Foundation, Wildlife
Tagged City Commons, Downlands Trust, Riddlesdown, Riddlesdown Common, Riddlesdown Quarry, South London Downs
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