ALDERNEY – WEST COAST AND THE BURHOU ISLANDS
Area: 15,629 hectares
Designation Date: 24.08.2005
Location: 49°43’N 02°15’W
Introduction
Alderney’s Ramsar site was designated in 2005, becoming the first Ramsar site in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Now it makes up one of eight Ramsar sites in the Channel Islands.
Why was this area designated as a Ramsar site?
The most northerly of the Channel Island Ramsar sites comprises the western coast of Alderney and nearby shallow waters and islets. This strongly tidal, high-energy area includes a diverse array of marine ecosystems, from sandy beaches with pebble and shingle banks, to rocky marine shores with intertidal pools, and coastal cliffs.
Designated in part because of the regionally, nationally and internationally important populations of seabirds. In particular, the islets of Ortac and Les Etacs support more than 1% of the world’s population of Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus).
The rocky islands are not only important breeding sites for birds, they also provide an ideal habitat for grey seals to haul out, such as at the seal colony to the north of Burhou Island, and for fish and shellfish species such as lobsters, bass and plaice. In addition to the wild animals the site hosts about 100 species of seaweeds, which play a very important role in supporting all the marine wildlife.
There is a visitor center which provides both information and educational materialsfor children and the general public. Common visitor activities are birdwatching, walking and rockpooling over the summer months.
Alderney’s Ramsar Management
In 2008 the Alderney Wildlife Trust (AWT), in collaboration with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, was asked by the States of Alderney (SoA) to prepare the Alderney Ramsar Strategy (ARS1). This process engaged both stakeholders and the general public over the course of several months and, upon its completion, the SoA’s General Services Committee (GSC) asked the AWT to act as the Alderney Ramsar sites’ Administrators, latterly referred to as the Ramsar Secretariat.
The AWT has fulfilled this role ever since on a voluntary basis, acknowledging the value of the site to not only its ecology, but also to the qulaity of life for residents and its benefits to tourism. This has been made possible thanks to a huge amount of work dedicated to the ARS by a large number of highly qualified volunteers.
As administrators the AWT helps the GSC by engaging with Activity Organisations involved in the site. The administrators also help prepare new ARS, as well as helping to develop, and report on, the Annual Action Plans (APS)through which the ARG is delivered.
The SoA maintains a Ramsar Budget to enable recovery of limited costs (not including staffing) from those organisation delivery works agreed under the APS.
In 2021 GSC formalised the Alderney Ramsar Adivsory Group (ARAG). ARAG is and entirely voluntary group of environmental, veterinary and scientific experts from across the Channel Islands and UK who act on behalf of GSC. ARAG supports by reviewing proposed strategy and plans against the goals of the site and principles of the Ramsar convention, as well as assessing them against international best practice. ARAG operates under Terms of Reference set by the GSC.
Code of Conduct:
1. Puffins. Avoid walking in areas marked out as puffin breeding sites. If visiting Burhou by private boat, avoid disturbing the rafting puffins (sitting on the water) by approaching slowly and keeping a good distance away from them. Take binoculars if you would like a closer view. A ‘Puffin Friendly Zone’ off the south-east coast of Burhou is in place between March and August. Marine users are requested not to enter this zone, to reduce their speed to below 10 knots and minimise noise when nearby. Please do not force the puffins to fly.
2. Stones. Do not remove any pebbles from the beaches or stones from the walls of Burhou.
3. Research. Do not remove any marker pegs or wooden stakes from the ground as these are part of ongoing research. Please do not interfere with any other research equipment such as cameras and traps; these will often be marked.
4. Litter. Please take all litter home with you. It is illegal to litter.
5. Fire. Fires, barbecues and fireworks are not permitted at this site without the prior approval of the Harbour Office.
6. Staying on Burhou. Burhou is closed to visitors between 15th March and 1st August in order to protect breeding birds. If you wish to stay on Burhou during the open season you can book the hut for a small charge at the Harbour Office. Please leave the huts clean, tidy and locked on your departure. Avoid walking in sensitive areas as outlined by the map within the hut.
7. Rockpools. Do not trample through rockpools, and if you turn over rocks, return them to their original position to preserve the environment beneath. Studies show it can take 5 to 10 years for the species hosted on the rock to recover if left upturned. Try to refrain from handling the marine life you find – it can be sensitive to rough handling. If you do, handle them with care and put them back where you found them.
8. Wildlife. Leave animals and plants as you find them – take photos, use your binoculars or take some paper and a pencil to draw them instead. If you do touch any wildlife take care when touching those with soft bodies – they are very delicate. It is an offence to disturb breeding birds or to handle birds of any type unless licenced – please refer to government regulations.
9. Nesting Birds. Please be aware of beach nesting birds as these are often difficult to see and subject to trampling or disturbance by dogs. Signs are in place during the breeding season to remind visitors; please be cautious when you see these.
10. Drones. Drone use is not permitted over any islets immediately North West of Burhou to avoid disturbance to the seal population. In other sites, prior permission must be sought from the Alderney Harbour Master, with consideration of the Alderney Airport ‘Drone Code’ prior to flying