Between Milford, Elstead and Thursley there are several commons - including Ockley, Thursley, Elstead, Royal and Bagmoor Commons - forming one large open space. The waterlogged central area of Ockley Common is well known for water-loving plants such as sundew, and many varieties of dragonfly and other invertebrates. (Photo: D Newman)

See the English Nature web-site for more about Thursley Common and other such sites.

In July 2006 Thursley Common, to the south of Ockley Common, was badly damaged by fire. (The BBC web-site includes a report at the time and a follow-up report after the fire).

Here is a ground-level view looking north across the burned-out part of Thursley Common towards Ockley Common in November 2007. (Photo: D Newman)

Fifteen months after the fire the plant life is beginning to recover - heather, gorse, moss and grass seedlings are growing well in the ashes of the previous generation of plants.

By the way, the rusty-looking stone is iron-bearing sandstone, which occurs in seams in the sandy sub-soil in this area. Presumably it is this stone which was smelted for iron in medieval times in several places in Surrey - perhaps including the nearby Hammer Pond. (Photo: D Newman)

Are there any fungus experts out there? These were spotted in a rotting log in the wooded area called Bagmoor Common, in November 2007. (Photo: D Newman)

See the Surrey Wildlife Trust web-site for more about Bagmoor Common and their other sites.

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