- Events at Wisley Common, Ockham & Chatley Heath
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Sun 2nd Jun 13
Open Day at the Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower
Mon 3rd Jun 13
Evening Wildlife Walk
Sun 16th Jun 13
BioBlitz 2013!
Sat 29th Jun 13
Teddy Bears’ Picnic at the Semaphore Tower
Sun 7th Jul 13
Open Day at the Chatley Heath Semaphore Tower
Tue 9th Jul 13
The Grazing Project
Sat 20th Jul 13
Explore Ockham Common, Chatley Heath and the Semaphore Tower
Wed 31st Jul 13
Ancient Oaks and Summer Heathland
Sun 4th Aug 13
SWT Run Club: Wisley & Ockham Commons
Thu 11th Jul 13
Work Party : Habitat management
Thu 6th Jun 13
Work Party : Control of invasive species
Thu 8th Aug 13
Work Party : Heathland management
- Reserves near Wisley Common, Ockham & Chatley Heath
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Fir Tree Copse is under 3536 miles away.
Wallis Wood is under 3537 miles away.
Vann Lake including Candy's Copse is under 3538 miles away.
Hedgecourt is under 3538 miles away.
Hankley & Elstead Commons is under 3538 miles away.
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Wisley Common, Ockham & Chatley Heath
Wisley Common by Katy GowerThe three areas have been designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest by English Nature in recognition of their importance for nature conservation. They are also part of a European Special Protection Area.
The M25 cuts through the northern area of these open spaces and Wisley airfield provides a southern border. They straddle the A3, with Boldermere lake supporting a wide range of aquatic life on the eastern side of the road. Ockham & Wisley is a nationally important site for dragonflies and damselflies. Twenty species have been recorded here.
Many rare birds can been seen on this site. One is the hobby, which is one of the few creatures that can actually catch dragonflies.
Two species of trees grow so readily on this site, that if left uncontrolled, they would take over the open heathland. Birch colonises heathland very quickly, especially on burnt areas. Scots Pine was introduced to Surrey for timber and readily seeds itself in heathland. Without management, heathland quickly reverts to woodland, and the flora and fauna that depend on it disappear. Surrey has lost 85% of its heaths in the last 200 years. Those that remain are an internationally important habitat.
If it is possible, heathlands are grazed in order to maintain them. The rangers also cut invading shrubs and tree seedlings, and clear some of the woods that were once heathland. It initially looks harsh, but the bare soil is soon covered with purple heather.
This habitat restoration started in the early 1990s and is already showing results. As the heather grows back, the rare heathland wildlife returns.
Semaphore Tower
The Semaphore Tower is located on Chatley Heath. The tower was once part of a chain which was used to pass messages between the Admiralty in Whitehall and the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth. It was built in 1822 and is now the only restored surviving tower in a line of signalling stations that stretched from London to Portsmouth.
The Tower is open to the public once a month between March and September.
Admission for Open Days:
£3.00 for adults
£2.00 for concessions. (Pensioners / Under 16 yrs / Students).
Free for children under 5.
Group Visits outside of these dates can be arranged through Steve Hill on 07894 660999 or email: semaphore.tower@uk.com.
Car parks off Old Lane, Ockham and Wisley Lane, Wisley.
A visitor guide and self-guided trail leaflet is available for this reserve. Download your copy here.
Ranger Notes - Winter 2011/12
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