Toby Chiang reports on some species that are thriving among our offices and high-rises…
RUSHING in to work and back home again it is easy to overlook the animals that share our environment.
Although Jersey does not boast the range of creatures found in other towns and cities, St Helier does play host to a number of species who live among buildings.
At its worst, sharing space with animals in Jersey may require a crafty bit of ice-cream or sandwich defence from swooping sea gulls.
But in other parts of the world there can be serious consequences when man and beast clash in urban environments, often leading communities to come up with special policies.
Bear-proof bins are common in Canada, wild coyotes have become bold enough to beg for food by nipping the shins of passers-by in Los Angeles and urban hunting squads are kept on speed-dial in Berlin should any aggressive wild boars become a threat to residents.
As St Helier has expanded, native species face relocation or, in some cases, a new life-style, which brings its own challenges and rewards.
A recent unusual animal encounter was captured by a reader, who photographed a slow-worm emerging from a granite wall next to the Liberty Wharf complex.
John Pinel, the principal ecologist at the Environment Department, said that cars carrying green waste to La Collette may be responsible for introducing such animals to the area.
‘I think the Waterfront makes for an unusual situation because of the traffic that goes down that way,’ he said.
‘It’s possible that a lot of animals are introduced as people take garden waste to La Collette. I would be surprised if slow-worms were naturalised and breeding happily there.
‘Then you’ve got places like Green Street Cemetery where we have slow-worms and some small mammals and of course you’ve got things like house mice and rats that are all around us in the townscape.
‘But when animals forage and look for food in human litter they are probably not getting the best diet.
‘Calorifically urban animals do very well as there’s more food and they don’t have to work as hard for it, but the range of food and health quality of the food is not great,’ he added.
Jordan Todd, a countryside ranger and ecologist, said that St Helier and town gardens served as a haven for many species.
He sad: ‘You have the more abundant species such as house sparrows, herring gulls and rabbits, but you may be surprised to hear there are also a few reptiles and amphibians around.
‘The crapaud or toad, palmate newt and slow-worm are sighted across town, even in the smallest of gardens.
‘Hedgehogs as well are notorious for getting into gardens and have an uncanny ability to scale fences and walls – often to the surprise of many home owners.’
Conservationist and ornithologist Mike Stentiford said that nature was ‘alive and well’ in Jersey’s built environment.
‘You’ve got rabbits down at the Waterfront, which is amazing to see them there. They’re also at Elizabeth Castle.
‘There are a pair of peregrine falcons at St Thomas’ Church and they are quite eye-catching and I believe they have raised young once again.
‘We’ve also had a resident pair of kestrels at Fort Regent for as long as I can remember.’
Slow-worm
WHETHER this was a one-off sighting or a slow worm that has decided he prefers the pace of urban life, the appearance of this legless lizard comes as a shock in such a pedestrianised area.
It is far more likely to find these creatures in leafy green surroundings. While they will keep the numbers of insects in your garden down, they are sometimes killed by domestic cats, against which they have no defence.
Warren peace
NOTORIOUSLY quick to multiply, rabbits have been resident at the Waterfront for some time.
They can also be spotted at Elizabeth Castle and are thought to have migrated closer to town from Westmount.
Earlier this year members of the public raised concerns that they were at risk during the early stages of the Jersey Developments Company’s work on the new finance centre.
However, the organisation confirmed it had relocated the animals to Jardins de la Mare or back to Westmount.
Birds of pray
ST THOMAS’ Church has been the chosen nesting site for two peregrine falcons for at least the last five years.
There are thought to be just a handful of nesting pairs in the Island, with the others opting to set up more traditional homes in cliff faces.
Elsewhere in Britain peregrine falcons choose to roost in cathedrals, prompting some local authorities to set up telescope viewing posts for visitors and residents.
The presence of falcons in urban areas may also lead to a drop in the number of troublesome seagulls and other problem birds.
Prickly pairs and the crapaud
HEDGEHOGS do not fear a little urban sprawl and will happily scale fences to gain access to a small town house garden.
Similarly, Jersey toads will hunt out any greenery they can in town and, like hedgehogs, are happy to settle in St Helier’s green spaces.
Resident rodents
FOR city dwellers the old adage goes that you are never more than six feet away from a rat.
That may be true in some parts of St Helier, but sightings, overall, are reasonably rare in daylight hours among pedestrianised areas.
Fort Regent
THE raised location coupled with the crags and cracks of St Helier’s ancient fortification make it an ideal spot for birds.
Its height keeps them a relatively safe distance from any ground-prowling predators and gives a good vantage point.
Along with kestrels, Fort Regent also hosts swifts and other species too.
Goldfinch
These brightly-coloured birds can be found around town and tend to favour the Waterfront.
Mr Stentiford said: ‘These are very much countryside birds, but I don’t think I’ve walked to the ferry terminal without seeing or hearing them.
‘They have a very special, very strong and attractive song. It’s not a place you’d expect to hear and see goldfinch with all the constant traffic.
‘Generally speaking you wouldn’t expect wildlife to be terribly happy in St Helier, so it’s surprising to see what’s out there.’
- A number of studies have shown that city birds sing at a higher pitch than their cousins in the country. It is thought this is to help their calls standout against the rumbling noise of traffic.
- Mortality and health rates have been found to be higher for some urban-dwelling species. Chicago coyotes have an annual survival rate that is twice that of their rural relatives.
- In Bangkok and New York, city sparrows have turned to feeding later at night as the bright lights of the environment attract insects.
- In Lake Tahoe urban bears are a third heavier than those in the wild due to the easily available waste food.
- City mice have been found to have bigger brains than those in the countryside. It is thought that the busier and more complex environment has led to this change.[/breakout]
