Islanders get closer look at Spur Point’s tiny residents
ISLANDERS had the chance to meet some small but significant local residents at the weekend, when Nature Guernsey held an event at Spur Point which included talking about some of the area’s denizens, the rare Atlantic scaly cricket.
More than 200 of the insects were caught in 84 traps set up the night before the event, with group representatives careful to return the creatures, particularly the young nymphs, to the same spot where they were trapped.
Plastic beakers baited with cat biscuits and chicken nuggets lured the crickets in, along with a multitude of other tiny wildlife that inhabits the area, such as sand-hoppers, centipedes and woodlice.
‘They’re all shingle dwellers,’ said entomologist and Nature Guernsey member Andy Marquis as he emptied the traps and recorded their contents before releasing the back into the wild.
Nature Guernsey and La Societe Guernesiaise are concerned about plans to infill the area north of Longue Hougue as far as Spur Point, particularly given the rare nature of the geology, flora and fauna of this corner of the island.
As part of the information day, tents had been set up displaying information about the gabbro rock, the coral-like maerl seaweed and the eel grass marine plant, as well as the crickets, with specialist members on-hand to discuss their importance.
Consultants Royal Haskoning have conducted an environmental impact assessment, but, said Liz Sweet from the Biological Records Centre, more was discovered than expected.
The work was sub-contracted to other companies, she said, one of which looked at habitats: ‘As a result of that, two habitats we weren’t aware existed were found and a further assessment has to be done.’
It has been proposed to move the scaly crickets and eel grass to another location, but there is scepticism that this will work.
Among those looking to find out more about the bay was the Dean family, whose home is right next to it: ‘We’ve lived here about seven years,’ said Lindsey Dean, who was out with her husband, Martin, and daughter Amelia, two.
‘We call this our secret beach,’ she said. ‘We’re quite lucky around here with all the trees, animals and insects.’
She and Mr Dean had made Amelia aware of the natural features of the beach and Mrs Dean said she often spent time there. It was important to raise awareness: ‘I think it’s great what La Societe is trying to do,’ she said.
