Oh my goodness - the National Trust of Jersey and the Royal Bank of Canada can give themselves a huge pat on the back, it is superb and I sincerely hope will be a great success.
First off from the road it just looks like a mound - the entrance is just to the right of the car
Now at this moment I must point out that Jersey roads are not normally quite this boulder and pebble strewn but we have had a couple of rather exciting high tides - there is seaweed that has been flung across the road!
No internal photos as it was quite busy but there are excellent quality info boards, a screen with a moveable camera - I will pop down another day to get photos
viewing
the view
Sand Martin and bat house
The bat roost is behind the boarded area
I was then very privileged to be taken for a sneak peek at the exterior - this is a no public access area.
Right a little bit of explanation is needed here, the letter box type slits on the left are Pip. entrances, above and slightly to the right are some small random holes - these are entrance holes for Brown Long-eared bats - then to the right are the holes for Sand Martin. The wood on the overhang is green oak that should gently weather and turn silver. None of the Sand Martin holes are lower than 6ft . It is hard to tell from the photos but the whole wall concave and slightly wavy to hopefully put of Mr & Mrs Sprawk from picking off the Sand Martins and bats as they either enter or exit. The hope is that when funds permit a live viewing camera will be fitted and maybe the odd nest camera or two. In the area there are small mammal refuges and the roof is a living roof which will be good for basking green lizards
So the down side. Currently only open from 9am to 5pm - but that will be reviewed, no toilet facilities but the car parking is just over the road and there happens to be a rather good cafe beside it that does an excellent all day breakfast and a pretty mean hot chocolate ;) So really there is no downside.
Phew exhausted now
Caroline in Jersey
Cin J
The whole place looks great, Caroline - I'm pleased you enjoyed your visit and got to see some extra areas. Those bat holes look tiny - it's amazing how small bats must be to fit through them.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
looks great Caroline,can't wait to start getting photo's,lol, the holes for the sandmartins look tiny too,beats me how they get in and out.
Terry
cheers Terry
my photo's here
I am already scanning the weather forecast and trying to work out my schedule for next week. I did get to go on the photography workshop which was great and I am now off 'training wheels' (AF). It was only spoilt by the appearance of two young ladies, who somehow had managed to wander across some fields and get themselves lost on the reserve - totally inappropriately dressed for a countryside ramble and I think the girl in white trainers may have been a bit unhappy when she sank knee deep in mud and cow poo, gave us all a laugh and a number of people were waiting for them to land flat on their faces . Sadly they managed to scare off all living things in 1/2 mile area. Heyho.
Looks fantastic Caroline and very innovative-look forward to your photos from there for sure!Another reason to visit Jersey again sometime soon I think
Jayne
See my Flickr photos here.
Great report Caroline. It looks to be very well thought out and I too look forward to your future posts from there.
Paul
My bird photos HERE
Glad you had a lovely time at the centre.
J
Should be a good asset to Jersey. How long do you estimate it would take to see it all. (i e, time spent in reserve.) All they need to compliment this, your normally nice weather. Been 15 years since we last visited, must come again soon.
Take care all, Stich.
My gallery Here Flickr Here
Now Stitch that is a difficult question. There is a thing in the equestrian world called 'horse time' - this is when you tell your other half you will be at the stables for an hour - 4 hours later you wander in and for some reason they have a) called the police to report you MIA b) fed your dinner to the dog. Sadly I have found that along with 'horse time' I have also developed a sever case of 'hide' time which accompanies 'dog time' sometimes as well - to be fair probably a good 3 hours if you are going to wander the area, there are a total of 6 hides spotted around, - the others are not as swish. JudiM could give a more realistic time scale I would think - it's difficult as a local when you know the routes and walks and shortcuts.
Well done Jersey, that should boost tourism, and of course you have the advantage of the weather also. Looking forward to your photos Caroline no matter which "time" you use:-)
Lot to learn
I like you explanation Caroline. Tis same with us keen photographers. A walker can do a mile in 15 minutes, the same mile takes a photographer an hour. That is not allowing for time in the hides. Now, 6 hides = 3 hours or more, 3 miles = 3 hours, allow 1 hour for lunch and comfort breaks, 1 hour chatting to other birders/photographers, = a good day out me thinks.
Right, i'm off to see if a visit to Jersey this year, is an option.
Kind regards, Steve.