Editing River Mole (section)

===Conservation===
The Mole [[drainage basin|catchment area]] includes twelve [[Sites of Special Scientific Interest|Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)]] that include wetland habitats,<ref name=MAls_2013/> The Mole Gap forms part of a [[Special Area of Conservation]] and is an SSSI of European importance.<ref name=MAls_2013/>

The stretch of river between Thorncroft Manor ({{cvt|1|km|1|disp=sqbr}} south of [[Leatherhead]]) and River Lane in [[Fetcham]] has been designated a Local Nature Reserve.<ref name=MVDC2>{{cite web |url= http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?Articleid=1934 |title= Local Nature Reserve |author= Shaw R |date= June 2005 |publisher= Mole Valley District Council |access-date= 10 February 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110614053810/http://www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?Articleid=1934 |archive-date= 14 June 2011 |url-status= live }}</ref>  Although much of the surrounding land has been taken by residential and commercial development, this section of the Mole supports 20 different [[mammal]] species,  20 [[butterfly]] species and 15 species of [[dragonfly]].  The geology of the local area is complex, since the river leaves the chalk of the Mole Gap at this point and flows over gravel and clay, creating a patchwork of different habitats including [[scrubland|scrub]], [[woodland]], [[hedge (barrier)|hedge]]s, banks, and [[meadow]]s as well as the water itself.  The river also provides a corridor for wildlife through the centre of Leatherhead.<ref name=MVDC2/>

The West End Common forms part of the [[Esher Commons]], owned and managed by [[Elmbridge Borough Council]]. The River Mole forms the western boundary of the common, flowing past a steep sandy area known locally as ''The Ledges''.  Plant species typical of ancient woodland are found in this area, including [[Common bluebell|bluebells]] (''Hyacinthoides non-scriptus''), [[marsh marigold]]s (''Caltha palustris'') and [[Saxifrage|golden saxifrages]] (''Chrysosplenium'' sp.). [[Cardamine|large bittercress]] (''Cardamine amara'') and the non-native [[Himalayan balsam]] (''Impatiens glandulifera'').<ref>[http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/Elmbridge%20Borough%20Council/Leisure/Esher%20Commons%20Map%20Final%20February%202007.pdf Esher Commons Map and Information Sheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714182819/http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/Elmbridge%20Borough%20Council/Leisure/Esher%20Commons%20Map%20Final%20February%202007.pdf |date=14 July 2014 }} Elmbridge Borough Council. Retrieved 2014-06-15</ref>

Molesey Heath Local Nature Reserve lies on the west bank of the Mole, west of the Island Barn Reservoir.  The Heath is an area of rough scrubland and, despite its name, is a reclaimed landfill site hence its large but artificial mound and small plateau.  The site is a rich habitat for birds including the [[common redshank|redshank]] and [[little ringed plover]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteLNRDetail.aspx?SiteCode=L1009381&SiteName=&countyCode=41&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |title= Molesey Heath |year= 1999 |publisher= Natural England |access-date= 1 May 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181018003058/https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteLNRDetail.aspx?SiteCode=L1009381&SiteName=&countyCode=41&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |archive-date= 18 October 2018 |url-status= live }}</ref>