Chobham Common facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Surrey |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 655.7 hectares (1,620 acres) |
| Notification | 1993 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Chobham Common is a special natural area in Surrey, England. It covers about 655.7 hectares (which is like 1,620 football fields!). This area is so important for nature that it's called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because of its amazing wildlife and plants.
Chobham Common is also a National Nature Reserve, which is one of the best places in the UK for wildlife. It's part of bigger protected areas too, like the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area and the Thursley, Ash, Pirbright and Chobham Special Area of Conservation. These titles mean it's super important for protecting birds and other habitats across Europe. The Surrey Wildlife Trust helps look after most of Chobham Common.
Contents
What Animals Live on Chobham Common?
Chobham Common is a busy place for many different animals! It's a really important home for lots of creatures, especially insects.
Mammals and Birds
- Over 26 types of mammal have been seen here. This includes the water vole, which is very rare in the UK.
- More than 116 kinds of bird visit or live on the Common. It's a vital breeding spot for birds like the European nightjar, woodlark, and Dartford warbler.
Reptiles and Amphibians
- Nine different types of reptiles and amphibians call the Common home. This includes the sand lizard, which is also very rare in the UK.
Insects and Mini-Beasts
- The Common is super important for its many insects and mini-beasts. It's one of the best places in the UK for spiders, hymenoptera (like bees, wasps, and ants), and ladybirds.
- It's one of only two places in mainland UK where you can find the red barbed ant (Formica rufibarbis).
- You can spot 23 different kinds of dragonfly here.
- There are 33 types of butterfly, including many of the rare silver studded blue butterfly.
What Plants Grow on Chobham Common?
Chobham Common is also home to a huge variety of plants, from tiny mosses to tall trees.
Vascular Plants and Fungi
- There are 390 types of vascular plants. These are plants with special tubes to carry water and nutrients.
- You can find many kinds of bryophytes (like mosses), lichens, and fungi.
- Some special plants here include the marsh club moss (Lycopodiella inundata) and Deptford pink (Dianthus armeria).
Wetland and Heathland Plants
- The Common has many wetland plants, such as sundews (Drosera) and marsh gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe).
- There are also lots of plants that love the heathland areas.
A Look Back: History of Chobham Common
Chobham Common has a long and interesting history, going back thousands of years.
Ancient Times
- Long ago, during the Stone Age, early farmers and wood-gatherers cleared much of the forests here. This changed the soil and created the open heathland we see today.
- The area was kept clear of trees by animals grazing and people collecting fuel.
- There are ancient burial mounds, called tumuli or barrows, on the Common. These show that people lived here during the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age.
Military Use and Changes
- In 1853, Queen Victoria reviewed troops on the Common, including the famous Light Brigade, before they went to war. A monument was put up in 1901 to remember this event.
- The Common was used by the military for training in the 1920s, 1930s, and during the Second World War.
- After the Second World War, parts of the Common were replanted to help nature recover from military use.
- In 1955, a disease called Myxomatosis affected the rabbits here. This meant fewer rabbits were eating the plants, so the heather and gorse grew much taller.
- In 1966, Surrey County Council bought the Common to help protect it.
Monuments to See
- There are three special scheduled monuments on Chobham Common. One is a Bronze Age burial mound (barrow).
- The other two are old earthworks called "The Beegardens." No one knows exactly when or why they were built.
Why are Heathlands Disappearing?
Sadly, over 80% of the heathlands that used to cover southern Britain have been lost. This is a big problem because these habitats are very important for wildlife.
- This decline started hundreds of years ago. Changes in agriculture meant less grazing on the heaths.
- People also started using coal instead of wood for fuel, so they didn't need to manage the heathland as much.
- Many heathlands were turned into farms or built on.
- In the 20th century, half of the remaining heathland was used for growing trees for wood (commercial forestry).
Chobham Common is special because it managed to survive these changes. Its sandy soil is naturally wet and acidic, which is perfect for heathland plants.
Looking After Chobham Common Today
For a long time, people in the Chobham area continued to look after the Common in traditional ways, like grazing animals and cutting plants for fuel. This helped it survive.
How is the Common Managed?
- In the 1980s, people noticed that birch and pine trees were growing too much and taking over the open heathland. This was a big problem for the special plants and animals.
- To help, Surrey County Council and the Surrey Wildlife Trust started clearing away these unwanted trees. They even had big events called "Purge the Pine" where volunteers helped remove trees.
- Since the 1990s, there's been a more active plan to protect the Common. They get grants to help manage the land.
- Each year, they clear scrub, mow certain areas, and control bracken (a type of fern). They also create bare patches of ground and new ponds to help different plants and animals thrive.
- Bringing back grazing animals to the Common is also a top goal for the people who manage the site.
Dealing with Fires
- Fires have always been a risk on Chobham Common, especially in dry weather. Big fires in the 1970s caused a lot of damage and even made the smooth snake and sand lizard disappear from the site for a while.
- To prevent fires, a network of fire tracks and firebreaks (clear areas that stop fires from spreading) has been built.
- Rangers and volunteers watch for fires during dry periods, and rangers now have fire-fighting equipment. They also work closely with the Surrey Fire Service.
- In 1974, the M3 motorway was built, cutting the Common in half. This created areas where gorse grew thickly, which increased fire risk. Now, these areas are mown every year to stop the gorse from growing too much.
- In August 2020, a fire on the Common even spread to a nearby golf course!
Stopping Erosion
- As more people started visiting Chobham Common after the Second World War, paths were created everywhere by walkers and horse riders. This caused a lot of erosion, where the soil gets worn away.
- In the 1990s, a plan was made to create a clear network of paths for walkers and horse riders. This helped to protect the sensitive habitats and reduce erosion.
- Now, there are fewer serious erosion problems, and the wildlife is less disturbed.
Visiting Chobham Common
Chobham Common is open for everyone to enjoy!
- There are six car parks where you can leave your car.
- You'll find many footpaths, bridleways (for horses), and other tracks to explore.
- There are also three self-guided trails that you can follow to learn more about the Common.
