Bird nests on Jersey’s offshore reefs been deliberately damaged says Department of the Environment

Birds’ nests on Jersey’s offshore reefs have been deliberately destroyed by visitors to the reefs Jersey’s Department of the Environment have reported.

Visitors are also reported to disturbing seals and dolphins, building bonfires, leaving litter and clearing a sizeable area of vegetation on Maîtresse Île, Les Minquiers, leaving bare soil exposed to the erosive action of the weather and sea spray.

The Department of the Environment are asking ask boat owners to take care when they visit Jersey’s offshore reefs this summer.

All Jersey’s offshore reefs (Les Écréhous, Les Minquiers, Les Dirouilles and Paternosters) are recognised as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and the main islands are part of Jersey’s Coastal National Park area.

All parts of the reefs are considered to be ecologically sensitive. Between March and August the main islands are home to nesting seabirds, which it is an offence to disturb under the Conservation of Wildlife Law (Jersey) 2000. In the autumn large numbers of migrating birds are dependent on the vegetation on the reefs for shelter and food.

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