Les Etacs from Clonque

A view of Les Etacs from Clonque. Clonque is a bay in Alderney, one of the Channel Islands. It is generally associated with the British 19th-century fort of the same name.

The view is from the tidal causeway looking north-west. At the edge of the view is a glimpse of Les Etacs. The area is a Wetland of International Importance (RAMSAR site). There are 8 such sites in the Channel Islands. This is a reflection of the extreme tide range and strong currents of the region. Here is the description of the site from the RAMSAR website:

It includes diverse and inter-related ecosystems such as sandy beaches with shingle banks, marine subtidal aquatic beds, rockpools, sandbars, and pebble beach and rocky marine shores, including sea cliff and rocky offshore islands.

The rocky islets are a very important bird breeding place. A large nesting population of northern gannets are established on the Garden Rocks and Ortac with about 11,900 individuals. It also provides habitat for a seal colony to the north of Burhou Island and some fish and shellfish species such as e.g. lobsters, bass and plaice.

The site hosts about 100 species of seaweeds, which play very a important role in supporting all the marine fauna and thus the large nesting bird population. A Land Use Plan protects the terrestrial part of the area within the site, including intertidal rock formations.”

The seaweed strewn rocks and pools of the shore are a treasure trove. The light is extraordinary: many people go to the Clonque headland to quietly witness the sunset.

You might also like my view of Raz Island, or perhaps Château à L’Etoc from Saye Bay.