Marlow Common
Marlow Common forms part of an extensive woodland with several owners, that is managed for its wildlife, recreation and landscape value. Due to the range of habitats that Marlow Common (North) and the adjoining non-SSSI part of Pullingshill Wood (owned by the Woodland Trust) support, including mixed broad-leaved and beech woodland and the wide variety of plant species present they were designated as a Local Wildlife Site in February 2012.
Area profile
Marlow Common (North) covers 11 hectares (26.5 acres) and lies one and half miles west of Marlow. This site formerly supported acid grassland and heather, which after the decline in grazing, reverted to oak, birch and rowan woodland. Several public footpaths and a bridleway exist on the common as well as a network of permissive paths.
The evidence of old clay workings can be seen along the site's eastern boundary.
Best time to visit
During autumn the common plays host to a plethora of fruiting fungi, with 50 or so species having been recorded on a single visit. Look out for our Woodland Service fungal forays held on the common. In the spring the site plays host to a wide variety of birdlife.
Wildlife in the area
There are many species of fungi that can be found on the Common including, the locally rare, pseudo-parasiticus boletus, which has been recorded on only one other site in Buckinghamshire. The birch polypore is a bracket fungi that can be found on some of the many silver birch trees.
The rotting birch trees make for easy excavation sites for a population of willow tits that find the Common ideal habitat. The occasional gorse bush makes an ideal protective nesting habitat for the long-tailed tit. The oaks are alive with birds, particularly blue and great tit, especially in the spring when they can feed on the many caterpillars that eat the fresh green leaves.
Look out for fungal forays and early morning birdsong walks held here to learn more about how we are managing this site for its biological diversity. More information can be found on our conservation and nature events page.