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LIFE
ON THE
COMMON
6
Is it just me, or do I detect a common theme of the weather from some of the contributing writers
of late, particularly from "a Thursley naturalist" and of course from "what's happening on the
farm". I guess us outdoor types are never satisfied with the conditions. It has been said that
it's the favourite subject of conversation for the British (I guess we just have so much of
it). So with that in mind I ask the question, what has happened to our summer? As I sit in-front
of my laptop it is bunging it down with heavy squally rain, and the wind is howling through
the Oak trees across the lane.
In between all this weather we have been struggling to get on with our summer work programme.
The ragwort in Parish field has reached biblical proportions this year; apparently we are not
alone in this. Nationally it has been a bumper year for it. This is great news if you happen
to be a Cinnabar moth caterpillar (for which it is their food plant), but not if you are a nature
reserve manager. With some help from a colleague in Natural England we managed a couple of times
to weed-wipe the ragwort. This is a simple device that allows a controlled flow of chemical
to be applied to the target plant, which is towed behind a quad bike, quite good fun, as long
as you avoid the plethora of wheel swallowing rabbit holes. The battle will continue over the
summer months, with some hand pulling in and around Parish field.
On a far more positive note, for those of you who regularly read my pieces I mentioned that
Thursley NNR was taking part in the local "Heath week". We held three events in late May to
early June. An evening walk to find Nightjars, an event in association with the local reptile
group, and finally a "bog safari". All these events were a great success, as we had over a hundred
people come along, and across Surrey with other conservation organisations over five hundred
people got involved.
This is very important to us, as through these events we can really show people how important
and valuable our heathlands really are, and the great diversity of wildlife that rely on them.
Hopefully we can do it all again next summer. So a big thanks for all of you who got involved.
And finally, one sobering thought, as you read this we have just passed the 2nd
anniversary of the fire of July 2006. It's hard to believe that two years have raced by. But,
for those of you who use the common regularly you can't have failed to notice the rapid rate
of recovery. The heathers are coming back with vigour and the colours on the site have to be
seen to be believed. Alongside the stunning deep purples of the bell heather, the oranges and
reds from the sorrels and mosses have made a kaleidoscope of colours that looks almost surreal.
Also in competition for your visual attention is the bog area of the reserve. If you remember
I spoke of this last summer, well once again the floral spectacle has repeated itself. This
year the beautiful Bog Asphodel has been spectacular, this sunshine yellow plant, a member of
the Lilly family has produced vast swathes of colour, along with the delicate purples of the
early marsh orchids a little earlier this summer, and with the pale purples of the cross-leaved
heath (the heather that flourishes in damper conditions) it has been something rather special
to witness.
As ever if you want more information don't hesitate to contact us at the office, or grab me
when I am on site, always enjoy a chat.
Cheers.
James Giles Assistant site manager
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