Lihou - haven for wildlife

Naturalist Mr Oddie has been in Guernsey to give a talk on birding and conservation.

He said persuading islanders and visitors that Lihou and the area of coastline around it are important could be one of the biggest benefits of designating it a wetland of international importance.

The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

The most important thing is to make sure that a valuable area is not ruined Bill Oddie

Mr Oddie said: "Guernsey is not known for its massive river delta, it's more of a marine environment.

"But the most important thing is to make sure that a valuable area is not ruined.

"And that would be the case if the area was a designated Ramsar site."

He added: "I am obsessed with pottering around in tide pools.

"You can dig up the most amazing things, it's absolutely amazing and I imagine that the coastline around here is like that.

"But you need to show people what's there before they become interested."