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Alderney Ramsar site - Gannets of Ortac and Les Etacs

Alderney RAMSAR site
At over 1,500 hectares, the site is twice the area of mainland Alderney. The area lies to the north west of the island, and includes the Alderney Swinge, the islands of Burhou, Les Etacs and Ortac, and the reefs of Great Nannel and
Renonquet. On Alderney's coast, the site includes Hannaine, Clonque and half of Platte Saline bays.

Northern gannet
Gannets are one of the site's most iconic species. Les Etacs and Ortac rocks support more than 2% of the world's gannet population. These colonies are the most southerly found within the gannet's range, with over 6,000 breeding pairs recorded. Gannets feed primarily on fish such as mackerel, sand eels and herring, which they find by diving to depths of up to 20 metres or scavenging along the surface of the sea.

Marine habitats
The site contains a mixture of habitats, all of which support diverse communities of marine life. The large variety of  habitats is the direct result of varying biological, physical and chemical processes upon the site over time. Habitats range from cliff edges, sandy shingle shorelines, rocky shores and islets, and rock pools to deep sub-tidal kelp forests and seabeds.

How to visit: Boat trips leave daily throughout the summer on a full tour of Alderney and the Ramsar site, including spotting the charismatic puffins on Burhou to visiting the impressive gannet colonies of Les Etacs and Ortac. For further details, please contact Voyager on 01481 823666.

Our thanks to Sam Rowley for his image of Gannets.

These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.