Charity asks public to help look after dry land

A charity has called on islanders to use "common sense" when accessing its land in the hot weather.

The National Trust for Jersey said barbecues, fires and cigarettes all present a risk in dry conditions.

It made the plea as it works to support wildlife through the heat. Ranger David Michel said the charity was "relying on the public to help look after the land".

Staff at the National Trust for Jersey have been monitoring its properties following concerns about the risk of fires.

Jersey Fire and Rescue Service has warned that any wildfire under current conditions could become extreme.

Michel said his team had been out checking up on wildlife throughout the heatwave, and clearing bracken.

"The weather we have at the moment is quite extreme, and it does affect the wildlife a lot," he said.

"I've been topping up the ponds at Plemont which has been great for the swallows and linnets and all the mammals that live up there."

The ranger said beyond that there was not a lot they could do to improve conditions for animals.

Michel said it was a "perfect time of year" to get out on National Trust land, but that there were "precautions" people should take.

He said: "Please, no fires, no disposable barbecues on grassland and if you go for a picnic, please just take your rubbish away."

Michel also asked islanders not to smoke and to take any glass home with them.

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.