Thursley Common facts for kids

Thursley Common, looking over the bog pools in wintertime

Thursley Common is a special place in Surrey, England. It is a National Nature Reserve. This means it's protected because of its important wildlife and nature. It's also known as a Ramsar wetland, which is a worldwide award for important watery places. Thursley Common is also part of a bigger area called Thursley, Hankley and Frensham Commons, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This makes it extra protected!

Exploring Thursley Common

Thursley Common, looking towards Pudmore Pond

Thursley Common covers about 350 hectares. That's like 865 football fields! It is in the southwest part of Surrey, England. This area is kept safe as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve.

The common sits between the villages of Thursley and Elstead. It is usually 200 to 300 feet above sea level. The land here has many different parts. You can find open, dry heathland, squishy peat bogs, ponds, and wet ditches. There are also forests with both pine and leafy trees.

You can walk on sandy tracks and paths. There's even a special "Heath trail" that starts from the car park. It goes around in a circle. In wet areas, there are wooden boardwalks to help you stay dry. You'll also find information boards along the way to teach you about the area.

History of Wildfires

Wildfires have sadly affected Thursley Common more than once.

2006 Wildfire

In a very hot summer in 2006, a big wildfire got out of control. It burned 60% of the common. But by 2010, the heath was growing back. Heather and gorse plants started to spread over the burned ground. Before the fire, there were 45 pairs of Dartford warbler birds living there. After the fire, in 2010, only six pairs were counted.

2020 Wildfire

In 2020, another wildfire happened. This one burned about 150 hectares. That's about one-third of the main protected area. It's thought that 200 to 300 types of animals and plants were harmed by this fire.

Helping the Common Recover

After the 2020 fire, a campaign called 'Preserve Our Reserve' started. It raised over £30,000! This money is being used to help the common heal. It pays for clearing work to help plants and animals grow back quickly. It also supports projects to restore the habitat. The money will also help provide information and prevent future fires. Local councils, Elstead and Thursley Parish Councils, are managing the funds. They work with Natural England on these important projects.

Amazing Wildlife

Common Lizard on one of the boardwalks

Thursley Common is one of the last remaining heathlands in Surrey. It is famous for its many different kinds of wildlife.

Birds of the Common

You can often see birds like crossbill, red kite, woodlark, and stonechat here. Other birds you might frequently spot include Dartford warbler, whinchat, wheatear, tree pipit, and redstart. Sometimes, rarer birds visit the common too. These include osprey, black redstart, and great grey shrike. Thursley Common is also very important for breeding nightjar and wood lark birds.

Insects and Reptiles

The wet areas of the common are home to several rare insects. Twenty different kinds of dragonfly and damselfly have been seen here. The reserve also has all six types of native reptiles found in the UK.