Thursley Common : Boardwalks and Dragonflies

The Event

A leisurely walk around the boardwalks and ponds of Thursley Common.
We have visited the common before and it's such a great place for photography.

As this is a very popular location with dog walkers and birders, we will start at 8.15am to (hopefully) ensure that we can park, and utilise the early morning light.

Thursley Common is an area of some 350 hectares of heathland in the Southwest of Surrey.It is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and as a National nature reserve

The Boardwalk

The Common has been the victim of two devastating wildfires in recent years and the scars of this can be seen across the reserve. In 2006 60% of the common was burned and then in 2020, during a long hot summer, another wildfire burnt around a third of the reserve. Despite this destruction, the much loved boardwalk has been rebuilt, with the new structure being completed at the end of 2022

Dragonflies

The area is an outstanding site for dragonflies. There are 26 species of dragonflies and damselflies that live around the open ponds and ditches making Thursley is the 4th Dragonfly Hotspot in England. Some of the dragonfly species that can be found at Thursley Common include the Downy Emerald, Keeled Skimmer, Emperor, Southern Hawker, and Common Blue Damselfl. Visitors are encouraged to share their photos of the dragonflies they see at Thursley Common with the British Dragonfly Society.

In addition to dragonflies, Thursley Common is also home to a variety of bird species, including Curlews, Dartford Warblers, Stonechats, Skylarks, and Buzzards.

Birdwatching

This is also a very popular location with birdwatchers as the site attracts a wide variety of birds each year. One species that can usually be seen here is the Hobby. Roughly the same size as a kestrel, the long, pointed wings give the impression of a giant swift.

They are extremely quick, which allows them to hunt prey such as dragonflies and birds like swallows and martins in mid-flight, which are often consumed on the wing.

Parking and Meeting Point

Free parking
Moat Pond Car Park
Godalming GU8 6LW

Google Maps ... https://goo.gl/maps/2Ui4rvigipucEXNMA?coh=178573&entry=tt
what3words ... https://w3w.co/trout.stiffly.backdrop

Payment
£5
Please pay at the meeting point
Thank you