Croxley Common Moor, an unknown jewel

Bridge over the river Gade MAE © 2011 

More than a two years ago, I discovered a hidden gem, just outside the tiny village of Croxley Green (Herts). Just next to the Grand Union Canal (walking down from the Tube station), and crossing the river Gade, there is  a beautiful field with low bushes and some trees: Croxley Common Moor or CCM for short.

The website of Friends of CCCM states:


Croxley Common Moor has been registered as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the rarity of its plant life; it is also designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in acknowledgement of the contribution local residents make to its management. This protection is essential because there are only one or two similar river valley sites still in existence in Hertfordshire.

I have been walking many times over the Moor, wandering what new species I would catch with my camera. And there are quite some "firsts" that I would like to share.

Long-tailed Tit MAE © 2013

Only recently I saw my first Long-tailed Tit. This brown and white bird which is called Staartmees in Dutch and Aegithalos Caudatus.in Latin, has indeed a very long tail. It is a very restless creature, so taking a picture of it is quite a challenge. But is worth the wait, since it is indeed a very beautiful little fellow.

Now Spring is gradually arriving the birds all seem to become more restless and quick; taking pictures requires more patience for sure.

Small Tortoiseshell MAE © 2011

And since I am proudly showing some firsts, I have also taken my first (and so far my only) pictures of this very colour butterfly called: Small Tortoiseshell. Everybody knows it, but I haven't seen them very often. This one was very happy sitting on a thistel and had the courtesy to stay put while I was taking pictures. In Dutch it is called Kleine Vos and in Latin it is called Aglais Urticae.

The British Butterfly website from Steven Cheshire confirms my fears:

Recent years have seen a rapid decline in numbers of Small Tortoiseshells across Britain. The primary reason for this decline is thought to be due to the expanding range of a tachinid parasitoid fly called Sturmia bella which was first recorded in Britain in 1999.

Let's hope the decline can be stopped.

Caterpillar of the Cinnabar Moth MAE © 2011

One of the typical dilemma's for the Friends of the CCM is the Ragworth growth. This yellow plant is poisonous to livestock and cows do graze on the CCM on a regular bases to keep the habitat in it's original form. Therefore the friends have to keep the ragworth in check by weeding (with volunteers) every month in the Spring and Summer. But this activity has to stop once the caterpillars of the Cinnabar Moth (in Dutch: St. Jacobsvlinder; in Latin: Tyria Jacobaeae) arrive, because it is the only thing they eat.

And so the preservation of nature is always a matter of making the right choices at the right time.

You can see more pictures of the CCM at the special FlickRiver Group that I have set up. But why don't you have a look for yourself? It is worth the travel to Croxley Green. Just cross the road from the tubestation, Go left and follow the small road (right turn after 100 yards) down to the canal. After crossing the lock you will find the entrance of the Moor.