Natural England

Green shoots are giving hope for the future of the fire-blasted heath at Thursley National Nature Reserve (NNR). One year on from the devastating blazes of July 2006, encouraging swathes of heather are rising above the charred remains of the 400 hectare heathland. The wetlands are showing the quickest recovery as bog cotton and colourful bog asphodel bring them back to life.

Simon Nobes remembers, ”It took hundreds of fire fighters to control the blaze at Thursley last year, which ravished over three-quarters of the reserve and its rich wildlife. The flames consumed the dry and wet heathland with frightening speed, burning out Dartford warbler nest sites, sand lizards and butterfly colonies alike and leaving a barren, scorched landscape of ash in their wake.”

“I am delighted that the wet valley mire, once regarded as one of the best bogs in Britain, is making a strong recovery. The spectacular colours of bog cotton and bog asphodel in record numbers now greet visitors and wildlife alike. While this summer’s rain may have spoiled people’s holidays, it has been a blessing for Thursley: as it’s given it a good watering.”

“It is great to see encouraging numbers of rare ground nesting woodlarks at the reserve. The sparse vegetation provides an ideal habitat for them. However, we have lost many of our Dartford warblers from the site; they prefer mature heather, and most of that was lost to the flames.”

“I have worked on this Reserve for over a decade and the devastation shocked me. I am especially grateful to the local community who have rallied round and provided me with huge support to help turn around the fate of Thursley in the last twelve months. Volunteers have helped clear burnt material from the heath and voluntary donations have helped fund repairs to the popular board walk that runs through the wet heath.”

Visitors are welcome at the Reserve – and can once again start to walk along the board walk to enjoy the new signs of life in the valley mire and the wonderful colours of the bog plants. Volunteers are always needed at Thursley. Contact: Simon.Nobes@naturalengland.org.uk

Simon Nobes added “We still have a long road ahead to make sure the site returns to its former glory. Bracken has sprung up all over the dry areas, and will need to be controlled before it swamps the young heather plants.”

ENDS

For further information contact: Simon Nobes, Thusley NNR Site Manager: 01428 685675 Mob: 07971 974438, or Antony Hart from the South East Communications Team: 07900 608 196.

Photographs of the July 2006 blaze are available from SE Communications Team. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk

Notes for editors:
1. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

2. Thursley, owned and managed by Natural England, contains one of the largest surviving remnants of the great heath which once stretched almost uninterrupted from west London to Hampshire, as well as woodland, scrub and bog. Each habitat supports characteristic communities of plants and animals including many regional and national rarities. Invertebrates like grayling and silver-studded blue butterflies, 26 species of dragonfly and the spectacular raft spider can be seen, while the sandier parts of the heath are home to many species of solitary bees and wasps. In summer and early autumn, the heath glows with many shades of pink and purple heathers. In wetter parts, the fascinating sundew, bladderwort, bog asphodel and early marsh orchid can be seen. Birdlife is abundant, with Dartford warblers and stonechats flitting among the gorse, and tree pipits, whitethroats and common redstarts in the scrub woodland. Thursley is the only site in Surrey where curlew breed, and in winter, the great grey shrike is a regular visitor. Hen harrier, merlin, peregrine and short-eared owl have all been recorded. Thursley NNR is situated north of Thursley Village, in Surrey, to the west of the A3 Guildford - Portsmouth Road. Grid Reference: SU899415.