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Thorpe Park Area

Surrey  >  United Kingdom

Thorpe Park is in the West of the City of London in Surrey.

Added* by Baz Willmott
Most recent update 6 jul 2024

Description

Thorpe Park sits just North of the M3 Motorway and East of the M25 Motorway. The Thorpe Park Area is dominated by the very large Thorpe Park Resort, the area is a complex group of former gravel pits, now landscaped with some lakes used for various watersports.

The area includes Manor Lake (*1) (press STAR on map), where no watersports take place, because of this in Winter the Lake is usually packed with waterfowl. Riđoglava patka, Ćubasta patka, the occasional Patka dupljašica, Veliki ronac, Prevez. Zviždara, Plovka kašikara and Čegrtuša all in good numbers.

(*2), the long St Anne's Lake connected to Abbey Lake, can have the same species as Manor Lake, but due to watersport activities disturbed birds move off to quieter spots.

(*3), the Thorpe Park complex is a good place to see Mali ronac in the London area, once seen throughout the area they now favour the shallower Abbey Mead Pits on the other side of the A320.

(*4), for those with more time, check out Longside Lake on the West side of the M25 Motorway, unfortunately this lake is used for watersports including open water swimming.

Some other birds such as Crnovrati gnjurac, Riđovrati gnjurac and Ušati gnjurac have all been seen in the recent past. Both Patka njorka and Morska crnka have also recently been seen.

Waders such as Barska šljuka, Mala šljuka, Žalar blatarić, Žalar slepić, Sprudnik pijukavac, Ostrigar and Vivak are regular depending on season. Check out the marshland on the West side of Manor Lake (press STAR on map) Obična čigra nest on rafts on Manor Lake during the Summer, Svilorepi cvrčić are resident along with Trstenjak crvrkutić in the Summer months.

An early morning visit is advisable at weekends as watersports have a huge impact on birds, there is less disturbance during weekdays.

Details

Access

The area is probably best accessed by car, a number of on street parking places are available.

(*1), for Manor Lake, park in Thorpe village, on roads such as Fleet Way/The Gower usually have parking places (Please Do Not block access) and walk to Monks Walk footpath near St Mary's Church, Note the road by the entrance is often flooded.

Alternatively (*3), for Abbey Mead Pits park carefully in narrow Ferry Lane in Chertsey, walk North crossing over Motorway by way of a bridge.

Alternatively (*4), for Longside Lake Park, park in Green Road where there is limited parking at the West end.

NOTE the lakes at Twynersh Fishing Complex (South of M3 Motorway) has NO PUBLIC ACCESS.

Fleet Lake lies completely within the Thorpe Park Resort and also has NO PUBLIC ACCESS.

Press P's on map for directions to parking spots.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Valley , Lake , City/village , Park , Reedbeds , Wetland

Conditions

Flat , Wet , Slippery

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road , Narrow trail , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

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