In the early 1970s, La Societe Guernesiaise recognised that increasing development across the island was placing many valuable and fragile habitats under threat. There was growing concern that some of Guernsey’s most interesting and rare plants and animals could disappear unless steps were taken to protect them. In response, La Societe amended its constitution to allow it to acquire and manage land as nature reserves. Some of these reserves are owned outright by La Societe, while others are leased to it at nominal rents. Find out where La Societe’s reserves are here: societe.org.gg/wp/nature-reserves
La Societe Guernesiaise began acquiring fields at Les Vicheries in 1978, and its holding has grown steadily ever since. Today, 16 fields are owned (15) or leased (one) and carefully managed by La Societe. They are wet meadow habitats, the surviving remnants of the traditional coastal fields that were once widespread along Guernsey’s west coast, before many were lost to development and intensive farming. Most have been managed using traditional farming methods for decades, without the use of artificial fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides. Very little cultivation has taken place, and most of the fields have remained unploughed since the Second World War. As a result, they have retained their rich native flora and are particularly vibrant and colourful in spring.
The fields are managed traditionally with a combination of grazing and hay cutting. This reserve is named after the late Bridget Ozanne, a renowned local botanist who campaigned to preserve these meadows. They contain the largest concentration of loose-flowered orchids in the Channel Islands – Anacamptis laxiflora – a tall, purple orchid, typically the first to flower. This species of orchid is not found elsewhere in the British Isles. Three other species of orchid occur in these fields:
Southern march orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) – a pale pink orchid, with no spots on the leaves;
Common spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsia) – a pale pink orchid with spots on the leaves and a divided lower petal;
Heath spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata) – a pale pink orchid with spotted leaves and a rounded lower petal.
The southern march orchid, common spotted orchid, and heath spotted orchid hybridise, making identification difficult.
In addition to the orchids, over 100 plant species have been recorded in these fields. The diverse flora provides food for hundreds of insects which, in turn, provide a hunting ground for many species of bird.
Paths are cut around some fields in the flowering season to allow visitors to admire the beautiful flowers more easily.
Some of the fields within the reserve:
Pre de Marais – leased by La Societe since 2004, and purchased in 2024, this field is cut for hay when the orchids have finished flowering and is then grazed or mown to keep stronger growing plants under control.
Les Petits Marais – this field was the first to be preserved by La Societe, having been purchased in 1978. In addition to the orchids and other wetland plants in the top corner of the field adjacent to the road, there is also a rare form of hedge bindweed (Calystegia f. schizoflora). The petals of this plant are deeply lobed.
Le Pre des Vicheries – The name vicheries is derived from the surname Vichet, which become extinct in the 15th century. This field was purchased by La Societe in 1984.
Pre au Heu – purchased by La Societe in 2003.
Les Drouine de Bas – at the top of this field you can see wild gladioli (Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus). A relic of cultivation and now a regular sight, especially along the west coast.
Pre du Douit du Moulin – purchased by La Societe in 1989.
Le Pre le Burgel – this field was purchased by La Societe in 1989 and is the largest of the fields we own. This field contains all four of our most common orchids, together with nesting boxes currently home to kestrels and stock doves.
Starting in Guernsey on Friday 5 June 2026 and running until Wednesday 13 June 2026, Guernsey is taking part in Rendez-vous aux Jardin, and the La Societe Bridget Ozanne Orchid Fields are one of the locations you can visit as part of this Europe-wide event. Now is the perfect time to visit this reserve, with beautiful orchids and other special plants in bloom, attracting many insects and other bugs. Please note that dogs are not permitted in the reserve. Please consider joining or donating to La Societe Guernesiaise, so that we can continue looking after areas like this, which provide significant biodiversity value.
How to get to the Bridget Ozanne Orchid Fields
Bus routes: 61, 91, 92, 93, 94
Location: Rue des Vicheries, St Peter’s. Perry’s 20C3
Viewing: From the road. Paths are cut around some of the fields in May, so visitors can admire the flowers more easily.
Parking: There are public car parks on the coast road.
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