Thursley Common

camo · #1 (**permalink**) 30-04-2009, 09:49 PM

Hi

I am planning a trip to Thursley Common to hopefully see Smooth Snakes, slow worm and Sand Lizard . I haven't been before has anyone got any experience of the reserve to give me some advice.

Roy

marvin · #2 (**permalink**) 30-04-2009, 11:04 PM

hi roy

try here RAUK e-Forum there are a number of people who know the area well.

tim

Cheryl · #3 (**permalink**) 30-04-2009, 11:25 PM

Hello Roy

I'm not far from there so I go there quite often just to walk but also in the hope of seeing those too. Not seen any of them so far but I still keep looking

So far this year at Thursley I've seen quite a few common lizards, one adder - I saw my first 4 spot chasers of the year the other day and some large red damselflies, and the curlew. Not seen the hobbys as yet .....

Good luck - hope you have a good day

NickCantle · #4 (**permalink**) 30-04-2009, 11:46 PM

I have a feeling that Jules (Wild-Woman) knows this area well. There was a WAB meet there not that long ago, so people will fill you in when they see this thread

camo · #5 (**permalink**) 01-05-2009, 09:06 AM

Hi Tim

Thank you I will check out the link. Cheryl I will still enjoy what ever I see and Nick thank you I will contact WW to get some advice.

Roy

pressld2 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-05-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I have a feeling that Jules (Wild-Woman) knows this area well. There was a WAB meet there not that long ago, so people will fill you in when they see this thread

And Jules is very kindly organising another meet there this year on the weekend of 1st/2nd August - see this thread: Thursley 2009 anyone?

Here's a link to page 9 of the thread for last year's meet (page 9 is where people got home and started uploading their pics): Thursley 2008

Dave P.

james bennet · #7 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009, 12:44 AM

Hi Roy,

HCT hold a number of survey days at Thursley in the summer which are great opportunities to get close to our reps, including smooth snakes (unless you think that's cheating!). Their website should have more details. I went to one at a nearby reserve and saw loads of smooth snakes and a couple of grassies too.

Wild-Woman · #8 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009, 05:49 AM

Hi Roy.I think the common is there to be discovered in your own time. Personally I could spend days there and still not see all of its secrets. On the Sunday of last year, we tried a different route out from the carpark and it really threw up some goodies. However,we've not seen Smooth Snake.
Two things to remember though (and this I hope,doesn't sound condescending) is to be very aware of where you walk as there's some fantastic plants like the sundew in the habitat, that can easily be trodden on as they're small and hidden low down in the heather. The other is to check yourself for ticks afterwards. They are there in the damp herbage. I believe one or 2 of the fellas found some on their 'person' on our first trip

.

Otherwise, I say stick to the pathways as much as possible and enjoy Thursley.

As others have said, I've posted the date for a trip there this year and it'd be good to see you if like to come along.

Let us know what you see....it'd be a good appetiser for August!

Have a great day.

Jules

camo · #9 (**permalink**) 02-05-2009, 09:51 AM

Hi Jules

Thank you, as I am interested in most things I do not have to rely on spotting a snake to enjoy myself. I will heed your warning with regard to the plants and let youi know what I find. However the more I look the more I am tempted to nip down to the Dorset Heath reserves. As I can get to Thursley earlier in the morning I will probably still go to Thursley. Roy

Kermit Power · #10 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 04:48 PM

Hello all.

I just found this forum doing a google search on Thursley Common, hence my first post on here.

If the weather holds up tomorrow morning, I'm planning to take my 6yr old daughter and our cameras down there, ideally to find lizards and/or snakes warming up in the morning sun.

Personally, I'm happy spending an entire day trundling around looking for the right photos, but this would rather stretch the patience of a 6yr old, so I was wondering if anyone can recommend any particular spots to head for which are likely to give her things to get her teeth into quickly - pretty plants, nice landscapes, ponds, doesn't really matter what - she just likes having something good to point her camera at!

As you can probably tell, I've never been there, so apologies if the correct answer is "everywhere"!