Gong Hill

Also within

Surrey County Surrey Hills Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Greensand

Description

Area, 6.59 ha. 16.28 ac. Description This site supports one of the last native Wealden populations of the endangered and specially protected sand lizard Lacerta agilis. The lizards survive in a small area of dry heathland over the Lower Greensand Folkestone Beds and occur at a very high population density. The heathland consists of a mosaic of uneven aged ling Calluna vulgaris, interspersed with bell heather Erica cinerea and wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa, with occasional specimens of dwarf gorse bushes Ulex minor and cross leaved heath Erica tetralix. bell heather is particularly frequent on the mown heath at Bracara, where the parasitic common dodder Cuscuta epithymum also occurs. Bryophytes and lichens are prominent members of the heathland community. There are also scattered gorse Ulex europaeus, silver birch Betula pendula and a number of Scot's pine trees Pinus sylvestris. The heathland blocks are interconnected by fire breaks which allow for movement of reptiles between the open areas and also provide important egg laying sites in the patches of bare sand. The south facing aspect of the site is very favourable for reptiles generally and four other species also occur at the site.

Species mentioned

Insects to look out for

These moths and butterflies are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

Hostplant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation (Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.