Thursley Common (Day Trip)

Summary

Thursley Common comes to life in the spring. Resident breeding birds such as Woodlark and Dartford Warbler are joined by migrants returning from Africa and Southern Europe, which include Tree Pipit, Cuckoo and Common Redstart. In the wooded margins there is the possibility of that gorgeous sprite, the Firecrest, and possibly the declining Curlew may be on territory. Later in the spring, the dashing Hobby will be hawking dragonflies over the wetter areas with the possibility of Crossbills and Spotted Flycatchers in the pines. Spring also sees the first butterflies on the wing and the heaths offer the chance to see the Green Hairstreak, followed later in the year by Silver-studded Blue and the Grayling. These heaths are nationally important for their rare and scarce dragonflies and with luck, we will see these from the boardwalks. Possibilities are the Keeled Skimmer, the Black Darter the beautiful Downy Emerald, and the rarer, iridescent, Brilliant Emerald. Small Red Damselflies and Willow Emerald are also present. Commoner species will also be in evidence such as Four-spotted Chaser and Large Red Damselfly. Early and Southern Marsh Orchids are also present as are all six of the UK’s reptile species!

Start time will be 8am and expect to walk no more than 5 miles during the course of the day.

• Hobby, Dartford Warbler and Woodlark
• Displaying Tree Pipits and hopefully a Cuckoo
• From June, Odonata in abundance with Brilliant Emerald a possibility
• Grayling and Silver-studded Blue in July
• Prolong your stay (un-guided) for Nightjar
• All six reptile species 
• Early Marsh (incarnata form) and Southern Marsh Orchid in June