Thursley Common Meet 2012 (6th year)23rd/24th June

[Wild-Woman]

Once again I'm setting up this popular meet, which we do over two days as there is so much to see and discover. I'm hoping that the 23rd and 24th of June sits comfortably with with you all.
As some of us are ' Thursley veterans' and Dave (pressld2 AKA Horizontal Dave) has been great at informing the local constabulary and Natural England about our activities, we are usually allowed to moth on the common during the evening/night, without creating suspicion! All the warden asks of us is to pass to him a list of what we find and to respect this fabulous common .
We are always careful that this precious and rare heathland is left as it should be- pristine and untrampled. There are some wonderful areas of sundew, bog asphodel and cotton grass. Walkways cross some of the common (I'll try not to fall off of it this year!!!) and it's from these that we sometimes come across areas of water that is habitat for Raft Spiders. At times, they can be seen sunbathing on the walkways, so there's always a WABBber who likes to get up close and personal with these spectacular arachnids.
There may be the opportunity to see reptiles, including adder and lizards and as the common is one of the best sites in the country for dragonflies,we sometimes see hobbies hunting these across the wetland areas.
So lots to see for all.

Please come along, even if you haven't been on a WAB meet. We're a friendly lot and we welcome new members.

I'll get a map and grid reference put up later so that you can find us!


Just one more thing- Dave will be stepping in, should we need to disappear rapidly, as we are expecting our second grandchild near this date . So don't panic, he'll look after you.

Oh yes, also ought to say that there are no loos on the reserve but there's a pub up the road where we have had a nice meal in the past.

[faz]

i might be able to make this one fingers crossed

[htcdude]

Can't remember why but I missed this last year I have nothing in the calendar so far, so will pencil it in, but it would be the Saturday only for me

Thanks,

Nige

[Boddie]

I'll have to see if I can get the lad to park his narrowboat nearby, see if we can whet your appetites to raise funds for a WAB one.

[Deb London]

If this happens, please consider a separate thread for pictures of the boat, alongside some potential aims for its use.

Personally I think the boat would be a fantastic opportunity for parties of disadvantaged kids to do something different for a weekend, with education in mind. Hope you can do something community-orientated, bit like the Rickmansworth Waterways Trust:

Rickmansworth Waterways Trust - The home of canals, education and environment - About Us

Community involvement
As well as our partners who help to fund our work, we also work in the community with groups including the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) who provide many leads for potential volunteers. We also work with disadvantaged groups – children and adults – who attend our education programmes and contribute to other activities at Batchworth Lock. Our former working canal boat "Roger" also provides an opportunity for work experience to older school children.

Quote from the RWT website.

I saw these guys in action last year. They were doing a grand job and I can imagine they turn a few lives around.

[pressld2]

One of the highlights of the WAB year - not to be missed!

I'm happy to provide lifts to and from the nearest railway station for anyone coming by public transport.

Dave P.

[monkey]

I am hoping as usual to be able to make this meet which I would recommend to anyone considering coming along as it is good fun as well as seeing nature.

Linda

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by pressld2

One of the highlights of the WAB year - not to be missed!

I'm happy to provide lifts to and from the nearest railway station for anyone coming by public transport.

Dave P.

One of the highlights of the WAB year, and always one of the highlights of my year if we manage to get over that way. Last year we went with the aim of staying after dark and the wealth of wildlife there was fantastic. What was strange for me, more used to leafy woods over London clay, was that the wildlife became even more apparent after dark. There was more to listen to and see as the sun fell. The Roe Buck seen in the moonlight across the misty value was magical and a memorable sight for us.

[pressld2]

The churring of the nightjars and getting one in Roy's scope was truly magical. Definitely one of my top 3 experience from last year, up there with the badgers on the Leighton Moss meet and my trip to Bass Rock.

Dave P.

[Cordaline]

Count myself & Adam in, as usual Jules!
I cannae wait, I love this meet!

Adam & I were there this week for the Great Grey Shrike.
It was a cold, windy, grey day & the common looked very bleak indeed.
Thursley just doesn't have the same appeal to me in the winter as in summer.
Especially as you all weren't there & neither was the cake!
I did think of you Jules when on the boardwalk. It made me chuckle, thinking of you falling in.

We had a gorrrrgeous lunch in the Woolpack in Elstead & Adam managed to 'pull' one of the bar staff!
He gave Adam a lovely stroke across the shoulders! I've never seen him blush before! LOL!

For anyone who has never been before, it's a fabulous environment that boasts a wealth of wildlife!
Brilliant photo opportunities & great company too!

Roll on June!