These red flags are used to mark the nests of the rare Black-backed Meadow Ant.
This is a species of wood ant. They are found in Europe but are now extinct in the UK. Guernsey and Jersey are the only Channel Islands where they are present.
These ants like to nest in big mounds, covered in coarse material like twigs and they need dry, warm, open areas. This means they sometimes nest very close to the cliff paths as this is ideal habitat! They also nest in hedge banks and on cliff slopes.
These ants are threatened by loss of suitable nesting habitat due to overgrowth of species such as brambles and bracken. The spread of invasive non-native species such as Sour Fig can also smother ant nests. Finally, strimming of the cliff paths can also damage the nests.
To help prevent damage from strimmers, the nests are flagged each year with a red flag, so the cliff path strimming team know to avoid them. They are not flagged because the ants are dangerous or need to be exterminated.
Each nest is checked twice a year with notes taken on the condition of the nest and activity levels, and measurements taken. This helps to monitor population numbers and changes over time. There has been a 42% decline in the number of nests since the 1990s so this combination of monitoring and flagging helps to protect the nests.
Please do not move the flags or damage the nests.
