La Claire Mare is a low-lying saline wetland on the west coast of Guernsey. It is one of the island's premier reserves for birds and is comprised of wet grassland,reedbeds & open water. Located next to the shingle bank at L'Eree, salt water is forced into the pondon spring high tides, leading to a brackish envirionment. This is a rare habitat in Guernsey and the reserves has a few specialist plant species, such as sea aster, that are remnants from saltmarshes that were formerly more widespread. In winter it regularly supports wildfowl such as Teal,Wigeon & Shoveler & a roost of up to 50 Little Egrets at high tide. La Claire Mare is a low-lying saline wetland on the west coast of Guernsey. Itis one of the island's premier reserves for birds and is comprised of wet grassland,reedbeds & open water. In winter it regularly supports wildfowl such as Teal,Wigeon & Shoveler & a roost of up to 50 Little Egrets at high tide. Duringmigration periods a great variety of species have been recorded including mostof the common migrant waders, ducks & warblers. Aquatic Warblers, the onlyglobally-threatened bird species to regularly visit the Bailiwick, are recordedannually in autumn. A book kept in the hide is available for observers to logtheir recent sightings. Located next to the shingle bank at L'Eree, salt water is forced into the pondon spring high tides, leading to a brackish envirionment. This is a rare habitatin Guernsey and the reserves has a few specialist plant species, such as SeaAster, that are remnants from saltmarshes that were formerly more widespread. To the SE, approached from Rue des Mares is a large area of wet meadows. Thesehave many species of orchid and other wetland plants in May and June and areextremely rich in insects. A path is cut round the edge so that the flowers andother wildlife can be enjoyed in spring and summer. In winter this area is usuallyflooded.
The 426 hectare site encompasses Lihou Island, La Claire Mare Nature Reserve, and the Colin Best Nature Reserve, as well as the intertidal area and outlying reefs and rocks. The site contains a variety of habitats from internationally threatened shingle banks, to marshes, reed beds, saline lagoons, and the intertidal area. The site also has a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, including a wide variety of seabirds, wildflowers, and marine organisms. Over 200 species of seaweed are recorded on the Lihou causeway alone. UK Biodiversity Minister Jim Knight in announcing the designation congratulated the Guernsey Authorities. ‘The United Kingdom has a proud record of designating more Ramsar sites than any other country, and the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories are home to particularly valuable and internationally-important wetland habitats. Guernsey is a worthy member of this group and the Guernsey site will be the 166th Ramsar site in the British Isles.’ Guernsey Environment Department Minister, Deputy Bernard Flouquet, said the announcement was great news for the island. “I am very pleased that an area of Guernsey’s wetlands will now be recognised internationally. Designation elevates the status of the site to that of ‘International Importance’, bringing special notice to the environmental, cultural and heritage aspects of the area. This recognition provides a positive focal point for new education, tourism and environmental initiatives which contribute to the long-term conservation and wise use of that particular site and other wetland areas”. Dr Charles David, President of La Société Guernesiaise, said: “La Société Guernesiaise is very pleased that this area has been granted Ramsar status. La Société has been closely involved with the application, together with the Guernsey Biological Records Centre, which is run in partnership with the Environment Department. La Société is a landowner, with a number of our sites such as the Colin Best and La Claire Mare Nature Reserves included within the Ramsar site. The site has some of the largest and most important intertidal areas in Western Europe, the size being due to Guernsey having a 10 metre tidal range – one of the largest in the world.”
Description -This is a circular walk of 4.3 km around the land portion of Guernsey's first proposed Ramsar site (Ramsar is an international convention which seeks to protect important wetland habitats. Guernsey hopes to designate this area, together with Lihou Island and the adjoining shore and sea to 6m below low water, as a Ramsar site in 2005). The walk could be done in an hour but there is an amazing amount of interest to see on the route: archaeology, geology, natural history, fortifications and other historical sites, landscapes, cottages and their gardens as well as beautiful spots for a picnic, bathing beaches, restaurants and tea rooms. It could take all day. Click for a large-scale map Wheelchair users can follow the route omitting the sections off the public roads around L'Erée Point and Le Catioroc. Starting places - Possible starting places are the car park (1 on map) or the bus stop (2) at L'Erée, or the car parks at Lihou Headland (3), under Fort Saumarez (4), by the slipway leading to La Chapelle Island (5) or at Le Catioroc (6). However, we will describe the walk starting at car park (1) at L'Erée (Perry's p20 B1, UTM map reference WV253781). Precautions- A short length of this walk, between 5 and 6 on the map, is along a stretch of the main road where there is poor visibility and no pavement. Parents should be cautious with their children at this point. The main roads have also to be crossed at three other points, but the majority of this walk is along quiet lanes and footpaths. Normal precautions should be taken on a beach against slippery and rough rocks and the incoming tide. Several Red data Book species occur on the site, including the fern allies Ophioglossum azoricum, which is found on Lihou and Isoetes histrix which occurs on Lihou and L’Erée headland. O. azoricum is a Red Data book species in both the UK and France, and I. histrix is known only on one site in England. The ormer, Haliotis tuberculata, a marine mollusc, is of great cultural significance locally, where it is a delicacy. The gathering of ormers though is carefully regulated under local legislation. Keen rock-poolers can discover a wealth of other marine organisms, including some species that occur on the edge of their natural distribution range. Many rare species and a representative sample of the north-western European fish fauna are found in the marine area of the site. The site is also a good stepping-stone for critically endangered aquatic warbler Arcocephalus paludicola, as well as proving good roosting and nesting sites for seabirds. There are particularly large numbers of Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus, but other varieties of waders include: ringed plover, turnstone, and Little Egret. The site also has a rich history, with passage graves dating to the Neolithic era, evidence of prehistoric settlement and Mesolithic flint working, pre-historic/Roman salt working and post medieval fortifications, as well as a medieval priory.mTo celebrate the designation Guernsey Post has commissioned a set of six commemorative stamps due for release in late July. The stamps feature images of animals and flora found at the site and were designed by well-known wildlife illustrator Wendy Bramall. Sally Diamond, Head of the Guernsey Philatelic Bureau, said she was confident the set would be popular with islanders and overseas collectors. ‘The illustrations are beautiful and include real Guernsey images, such as the ormer,’ said Ms Diamond.
