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Wisley Common, Ockham & Chatley Heath
This 336 hectare reserve is a wonderful mix of habitats including heathland, ancient woodland, conifer woodland, grassland, ponds and a large lake called Boldermere. A great reserve for exploring and bird watching. Fantastic views towards London can be admired from the top of the 19th century Semaphore Tower on Chatley Heath. Spring at Ockham is often heralded by the sweet song of woodlark.
By late spring the specialized heathland birds return from winter migration. By June, nightjars, best know for their remarkable churring song, have returned to breed. Hobbies and buzzards can be seen gliding across the heath in search of prey to feed their young. High summer is spectacular with heather in full flower and insects and reptiles abound. Large, noisy tit flocks feed in the broad-leaved woods during autumn and winter and redwing frequent the fields on the edges of the common.
There is a 2 Kms Self-guided trail that takes approx. 1 hour.
The reserve is managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust.
By late spring the specialized heathland birds return from winter migration. By June, nightjars, best know for their remarkable churring song, have returned to breed. Hobbies and buzzards can be seen gliding across the heath in search of prey to feed their young. High summer is spectacular with heather in full flower and insects and reptiles abound. Large, noisy tit flocks feed in the broad-leaved woods during autumn and winter and redwing frequent the fields on the edges of the common.
There is a 2 Kms Self-guided trail that takes approx. 1 hour.
The reserve is managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust.
| Opening dates and times: Opening dates and times: (including facilities if relevant) Commons and heaths open all year. Café: open daily 8am – 5pm. Car parks: daylight hours. Semaphore Tower (01372 458822) Noon – 5pm, Sat & from Mar - Oct, and first Sun of the month only from Oct – Mar. | Wildlife Rare heathland bird species: nightjar, Dartford warbler, woodlark, stonechat, linnet. Other species include: Buzzard, hobby, woodlark, stonechat, brilliant emeralds, azure damselflies, migrant hawkers & silver-studded blue butterflies. |
| Facilities & Directions A café, WC and countryside information room in Boldermere car park off Old Lane. | Wisley & Chatley Facts Chatley Heath has the only remaining Semaphore Tower in England. It is a Grade II listed building. Due to a positive heathland restoration programme Wisley Common and Ockham Heath now has 100 hectares of heath, but in 1988 it had only 21ha. Boldermere Lake is 16 acres in size and holds round about 47,000 cubic metres of water. |
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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