June 2023


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THE WILD OF THE GUERNSEY ISLANDS


FROM Alderney’s beloved Blonde Hedgehogs to the lesser-spotted Palmate Newt to Guernsey wildflowers, insects and marine life, Herm & Sark’s puffins and Lihou’s striking Black- backed Gull, discover the abundant wildlife on the islands of Guernsey. Alderney Wildlife Sightings A popular destination for birdwatching,


the island is home to many species including the Dartford Warbler and the Grey Wagtail – both of which have been spotted over the past few weeks.


Pack your Pooch


THE Islands of Guernsey are the perfect destination for those looking to holiday closer to home with pets, especially with Condor Ferries’ dog-friendly ferry links from Poole and Portsmouth to Guernsey all year-round. The Old Government House Hotel & Spa is the island’s only 5* dog-friendly hotel and with every stay, owners fill out a ‘Pet Preference Form’ to receive details of nearby walking options and dog friendly services catered to their exact needs. Alongside this arrival pack, guests will be given a pet bed, food and water bowls, alongside treats and


toys, ensuring that four-legged friends are made as comfortable as possible. The hotel’s variety of amenities and fine dining options, also give guests the opportunity to unwind and relax together, either at the hotel’s wellness spa, or over authentic island dishes, at The Brasserie Restaurant. After a good night sleep, guests can enjoy many dog-friendly walks and routes on the island for visitors to enjoy. Dogs are always allowed on the beaches of Portelet Bay, Rocquaine Bay, Grandes Rocques, Port Grat, Le Grande Havre, Belle Greve Bay, Bordeaux, Havelet, Petit Port, Moulin Huet, Saints Bay, La Jaonnet Bay.


The Alderney Bird Observatory, situated on the popular Longis bay, now provides accommodation for keen bird watchers and researchers to get even closer to the island’s winged inhabitants. The observatory also hosts regular activities such as bird ringing and moth trapping. With over 160km of walking trails, staff


from the Alderney Wildlife Trust have teamed up with Visit Alderney to provide a series of new virtual walks starting with Fort Albert and Bibette Head Trail. Wildflowers, insects and marine life in Guernsey New signs of life in the form of flowers are beginning to appear with swaths of yellow Gorse and bright pink Common Storks-bill emerging along the south coast of Guernsey. Endemic ferns, which are only found in Guernsey, have also been spotted as well as beautiful orchid fields at Les Vicheries on the island’s west coast and Bee Orchids were found for the first-time last year in St Germain. For amateur entomologists, the rare Black Backed Meadow Ant, once found across the British Isles, live now only on the cliffs in Guernsey (and some neighbouring Channel Islands) – their nests are marked along the cliffs with red flags. The rare Glanville Fritillary butterfly has a strong population in Guernsey despite falling numbers in the UK, where they’re now spotted in just a few coastal locations. In many bays around the island, and off the neighbouring island of Herm, underwater


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meadows of seagrass can be seen at low tide which act as a nursery for schools of fish and absorb carbon from the atmosphere. Large pods of dolphins have recently been sighted along the south coast cliffs, with swimmers also reporting seals from a few locations, with Havelet bay the most popular sighting spot. The Guernsey Vole is another native animal


– a shy brown vole, which can occasionally be seen on the commons and fields. At 10% larger than its European counterpart it makes a hearty meal for barn owls which can be seen hunting at dusk. During lockdown, La Société Guernesiaise,


an organisation whose goal is to preserve Guernsey’s biodiversity, has launched a new initiative called ‘A Look at Lockdown’ which encourages locals to take photos of the wildlife as there has been an increase due to less cars being on the road. Puffin watching in Herm & Sark From mid-March to July, puffins migrate to


the islands to breed, especially on the small islands of Herm and Sark. In normal times, visitors can enjoy a boat trip around the islands, or for the more adventurous types, a puffin-kayaking trip with Outdoor Guernsey. Declared a ‘Wetland of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention, Sark’s Gouliot Headland is carpeted with anemones, sponges and soft corals, which can be seen when the tide is low during spring. Herm is a Ramsar site which is a designated for its intertidal area and breeding bird populations.


SUMMER 2023 IN THE ISLANDS OF GUERNSEY


THIS summer, the Islands of Guernsey will be home to an array of spectacular activities


that are perfect for any holiday with family or friends. From sheep racing on Sark to enjoying dinner on Herm’s Shell Beach, an entirely new offering, there is something for everyone to enjoy this summer across each island. Summer happenings on Herm Island Herm’s Shell Beach offers dinner for the


first time For foodies looking for a unique and picturesque dining experience, visitors can look no further than Shell Beach Café’s new dining experiences, commencing this summer. Shell Beach sits on the opposite side of Herm to all other dining outlets, making this the first time dinner has been available to visitors on this side of the island. ‘Sounds of Silence’ Dine Under the Stars Taking place on 1 and 2 September, this brand-new dining experience offers guests an opportunity to dine al fresco under the starlit skies on the magical island of Herm. The evening will begin with a gathering at Herm Harbour, from where guests will take a leisurely stroll to the white sands of Shell Beach. As the sun sets, guests will be entertained by a professional astronomer and as dusk falls, the stars will take centre stage, inviting guests to become observers of the magnificent constellations scattered across the night sky alongside drinks and dinner.International cuisine evenings


on Shell Beach Herm’s Shell Beach Café will host a number of new themed cuisine nights throughout the summer, kicking off the summer season on 6 June with Spanish Cuisine Night. Upon arrival guests will be greeted with a glass of sangria and enjoy a fresh seafood paella, as well as a choice of Spanish tapas. Other nights to look forward to include the flavours of France at an all- French cuisine evening. Summer events on Sark Island Sheep racing on Sark An annual tradition, 2023’s Sark Sheep


Racing is set to take place on 21 and 22 July. Visitors can cheer on their favourite woolly runner with the unique surroundings of Sark as a backdrop to these beloved races. In addition to the sheep racing, the event will host a selection of food stalls and family activities, followed by an evening of live music featuring local musicians. Sark’s very own music festival SarkFest 2023 will take place from 7 to


9 July, featuring more than 30 bands and artists from Guernsey, Jersey, and the UK. The remote car-free island of Sark, a 5km- squared piece of land, is a unique venue for any music festival, surrounded by scenes of dramatic clifftops and sweeping sea views. Visitors can expect to see a wide array of talented musicians across a range of genres.


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