Watch out for Asian hornets!

Le Grande Pré – La Société Guernesiaise image*

As a result, the States' island-wide programme of trapping for Asian hornet queens has relaunched for the eighth year and nearly 260 traps have been delivered to a network of volunteers at roughly 500m intervals, which aim to attract and trap queen Asian hornets as they emerge from hibernation and forage for nectar. 

Le Grande Pré, off La Rochelle Road, is an important nature reserve in the parish and is open to the public (for more and how to get there click here). The queen was spotted by someone walking there recently.

Asian hornets are an invasive pest species and parishioners are asked to report any sightings of of them. At this time of year, they can often turn up in houses and the advice is to try to prevent them from being released back into the wild, and to report all sightings to the Asian Hornet Team. You can do that by calling or WhatsApp to 07839 197082, or by sending an email to [email protected] with a photo attached where possible. 

On average 39% of the pest's diet is made up of honeybees, which is why it is a major threat to island biodiversity, pollinating insects, and beekeeping activities – and why public cooperation is essential for keeping them under control.

• Le Grande Pré is mostly owned by the States of Guernsey and leased to La Société. It provides an important habitat for breeding Reed Warblers and Cetti’s Warblers. Reed Buntings and Marsh Harriers have been sporadic breeders. During spring and autumn the reedbed supports large numbers of migrating Reed and Sedge Warblers, and Swallows and Sand Martins use the area as a roost. In winter, Bitterns have been occasionally seen.
  This is also an important site for a variety of invertebrates. A programme of dredging aids reedbed regeneration and ensures there is standing water to encourage dragonflies and damselflies  to colonise.