Chobham Common

Chobham Common is one of the finest lowland heaths in the world and the largest nature reserve in south east England. In May it's just starting to get into it's stride and today was a beautiful sunny day perfect for a stroll along the sandy, gorse covered pathways.

The lowland heaths of southern England are incredibly rich in wildlife and particularly important for some of the UK's rarer reptiles. Within five minutes I almost stood on one of them. A wonderful 15 inch long adult adder resplendent in it's black zig zag patterned back and sufficiently warmed in the spring sun to slide off into the heather before I could get a photo. Later I had far too brief views of a couple of lizards which were probably common lizard, again scuttling through the heather.

Home to over 20 species of butterfly the early species were already on the wing, several peacock and brimstone were enjoying the spring sunshine.

Peacock butterfly

Razor strop fungus

Birds were still in fairly small numbers but a common buzzard soared over the woodland and a migrating female northern wheatear in an open area were both good finds as were a couple of singing chiffchaff. The only mammal was a startled roe deer that bolted across the heather.

Drone fly