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Les Etacs Gannet Colony

Alderney  >  United Kingdom

Rock stack off western tip of Alderney. Summer strmoglavec colony, of 5,800 pairs. View by telescope from Alderney, or by small boat from Braye harbour.

Added* by Rob Fox
Most recent update 6 december 2025

Description

Les Etacs Gannet colony is one of the most southerly strmoglavec colonies in Europe. Good opportunity to see these impressive seabirds without heading north. The colony is active from April to September, when the birds build nests and raise chicks. Good variety of other seabirds in the area.

Details

Access

View from clifftop at west end of Alderney, or take a boat trip from Braye harbour. Clifftop accessible by road and track, 30 minute walk from St Anne. Allow 3 hours. This walk can be part of a circular route taking in heathland to the west of the airport.

Terrain and Habitat

Sea , Canyon/cliff

Conditions

High water possible

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

Spring , Summer , Autumn

Best time to visit

Summer

Route

Paved road , Wide path , Unpaved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Boat

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

strmoglavec
1. strmoglavec
(Morus bassanus)
vranjek
2. vranjek
(Phalacrocorax aristotelis)
balearski viharnik
3. balearski viharnik
(Puffinus mauretanicus)
skalni golob
4. skalni golob
(Columba livia)
krokar
5. krokar
(Corvus corax)

Other birds you can see here

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