ONE of the rarest habitats in Guernsey could be extended. La Societe Guernesiaise wants to remove spoil from the Colin Best Nature Reserve at L’Eree.

La Societe conservation officer Jamie Hooper said that would would increase the size of the salt marsh, which was vital to some plants and wildlife. ‘On a big high tide, sea water backs up through the drains and seeps through the shingle bank – you’ll never keep it out,’ he said.

This had led to the formation of the salt marsh – a rare habitat on the island. ‘It’s not particularly species-rich, but there are a number of specialist plants such as sea aster,’ he said.  High tides forced roosting birds from the beach and these retreated to the salt marsh.

The late Mr Best, who wanted to firm up the land for better access, controversially tipped the spoil – an estimated 300 lorry loads – in the area next to Route de la Rocque, opposite the shingle bank, a number of years ago and an application to remove it has been submitted to the Environment Department.