As I started my walk this morning heading towards Sutton Lane, up the track parallel to Downs Road, I was surprised by a Roe Deer doe and fawn dashing across the track no more than 20 m ahead of me. Gone in a flash, so no opportunity for a photo. Could this be the same pair that I encountered at almost the same spot on 14^th July this year?

Most of us walking on Banstead Downs on a regular basis will probably be able to recognise the commoner trees by their leaves. However, at this time of year the deciduous trees have lost all of their leaves. Bark helps, especially on mature trees, but can you pick out a tree from its leaf buds? These are already well formed, just waiting for the warmer spring weather to burst forth. I photographed several trees this morning to illustrate just how different the buds on various trees are.

On the same Common Hazel (Corylus avellana) tree I found male catkins in various stages of growth, from tight, compact catkins waiting for the right conditions to open, to some well on the way to fully open and many in intermediate stages.

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