September / October 2012 - Jersey

Enjoy nature
Areas of Natural Interest
La Lande de Ouest
Part of the dry coastal heathland lying
above the cliffs along the greater part of
the south-west coast. A designated Site
of Special Interest (SSI) and rich in flora
and fauna, this area is an important part
of theisland’s landscape, and biodiversity.
A great area for walking and bird watching.
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Le Noir Pré
Often known simply as “The Orchid
Field”, this unique site actually consists
of two distinct but adjoining wet
meadows. Le Noir Pré and the smaller
Le Clos du Seigneur. The site is one of
the last remaining strongholds of the
Jersey Orchid or loose-flowered
Orchid (Orchis Laxiflora). Orchid
flowering season May and June.
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Le Blanches Banques
The sand dune system at the southern
end of St Ouen’s Bay is recognised as
an SSI and more than 400 plantspecies
have been recorded here. It also provides
home to the super Jersey Green Lizard.
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Les Landes
This coastal heathland is the most
spectacular aspect of Jersey’s wild
environments. Les Landes is Jersey’s
largest single expanse of maritime
heathland covering 160 hectares and
bound by 3 km of high granite cliffs.
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Portelet Common
With a mixture of dramatic sea views and
a habitat typical of an area subjected to
the prevailing south-westerly wind, the
common has thick gorse cover, dwarf
shrub heathland and lichen-rich grassland.
Peaking at one sixty one metres above
sea level and covering thirty one
hectares this scenery is not to be missed.
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Ramsar Sites
These are areas listed on the Ramstar
List of Westland’s of International
Importance which concerns the
conservation and wise use of wetlands
and their resources. Jersey has four!
These magnificent sites are; the
south-east coast of Jersey, Le
Minquiers, Les Ècréhous, and Les
Dirouilles, and Les Pierres de lecq (The
Paternosters). These sites are truly
unique and worth a visit; however,
three of these sites are offshore reefs
and require a trip by boat. Check out
the “Activities” section of the
operators who can take you on a short
boat trip to see these sites. The south
coast area can be walked around and
guided walks are available (contact
Jersey Walk Adventures – see
“Activities”). Important! If you wish to
walk around the area independently
please seek advice first as the tide rises
rapidly and you can become stranded if
unprepared. Knowledge of the tides is
essentially. Jersey Tourism can provide
advice if necessary but recommends
that you employ a guide. See “Walking”
section of this guide.
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Reservoirs
There are several reservoirs within
the island which can be walked
around. These include Queen’s Valley
and Val de la Mare. Other reservoirs
include Millbrook, Grands Vaux,
Handois, Mourier Valley and
Dannemarche.
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St Catherine’s Woods
Also known as Rozel Woods, this
woodland is set in a deep-cut,
steep-sided valley. A stream running
through the valley floor has helped
develop a wide range of habitats
within the woodland.
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St Ouen’s Pond
(La Mare au Seigneur).
Probably the most significant wetland
in Jersey, it is a dedicated nature
reserve with open water, reed beds
and a marshy perimeter providing
habitats for fish, insects, flowers and
birds, including the Marsh Harrier
which can often be seen gliding
above the pond.
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