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SARK RAMSAR Sark is a steep-sided island which, while it has some very good beaches, is better known as a place for walking or cycling around the dusty, unmade roads. The only motor vehicles here are tractors, while the most comfortable mode of transport is the horse and carriage. Access to the island is by sea only - no aeroplanes to disturb the peace and quiet - and the result is a place of legendary tranquility which many Guernsey people make a point of visiting at least once or twice a year. In addition to their agricultural uses, the tractors perform a valuable service in towing trailers full of visitors up from the harbour to the main shopping street, because it is a long, steep hill that might be fun to walk down but quickly loses its appeal on the ascent. Sark is a gloriously natural place and now the proud possessor of a Ramsar site, a headland that includes the increasingly well-known Gouliot caves (as featured in the BBC Television series, Coast). This designation is described by the UK environment department, Defra, thus: 'The UN 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 Gouliot caves have water flowing through for much of the day, and that water is beautifully clear, yet laden with food in the form of plankton, which makes this an ideal habitat for many species. This is the Bailiwick of Guernsey's third Ramsar site - it already had Lihou Island and L'Eree headland in Guernsey itself, along with Alderney's west coast and the Burhou islands. This set of stamps celebrates creatures that inhabit the caves, plants that adorn the headland and one of the birds that enjoy the skies in the area. The Beadlet Anemone Actinia equina is found attached to rocks and is a particular favourite with children fascinated by its jelly-like texture. When the water recedes and the anemone is uncovered it retracts its tentacles to conserve moisture, whereas in a rock pool it is seen with tentacles out. The Gouliot environment, cool and shady even when the tide is out, suits this dark red lump perfectly. The 'beadlets' are bright blue and sit just below the tentacles. Up on the headland can be found the tiny, beautiful and rare (in the UK) Sand Crocus Romulea columnae, which one is more likely to come across in Gozo, near Malta, or Tunisia. The Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis may look like a gull but is in fact a member of the tube-nose family (along with the petrel, the albatross and the shearwater), whose nasal arrangements enable them to smell food several kilometres away. Fulmars live on cliffs such as at Gouliot and also on offshore rocks and islets. Sheep's-bit Jasione montana is mainly found on the cliffs, where it can grow in very thin soil and withstand drought, but can also be seen inland on hedge banks, where it is larger and more luxuriant. A regular visitor to the Gouliot caves, the Thick-lipped Grey Mullet Chelon labrosus is a very soft-fleshed fish with an unappetising diet of mud and algae, from which it filters out particles of food. It can also be found cruising in shallow waters such as marinas. The Light Bulb Sea-squirt Clavelina lepadiformis is one of a family of cylindrical, jelly-like creatures and when you see it, the first part of its name becomes obvious, with a creamy-white curling line visible through the clear body just like a filament in a bulb. Sea-squirts are so called because when disturbed, they contract and the water inside them squirts out. The stamps were illustrated by Wendy Bramall, an artist who grew up in Guernsey and specialises in nature. Wendy has worked with us frequently and never fails to bring subjects to life with her warm, delicate style. Product Information Set of mint stamps Our beautifully illustrated set of mint stamps (otherwise known as unused) is supplied securely in the same pristine condition as when they left the printer. Cancelled To Order (CTO) All mint sets are available for cancellation either with the Philatelic datestamp or Fine Used with the Postal datestamp. If you require a cancellation, please send a message and any instructions or preferences at the time of purchase. Specification Date of issue: 28 February 2008 Designer: Wendy Bramall Printer: BDT International Value: 34p, 40p, 48p, 51p, 53p, 74p Process: Offset lithography Stamp size: 25.73mm deep x 39.56mm wide S/Sheet size: 95mm deep x 140mm wide Paper: 110 gsm unwatermarked PVA adhesive Sheet: 10 Perforation: 13 Cylinder: A Buying from us All our items are professionally packaged and we currently dispatch more than 100,000 orders per year. Items are dispatched within 3 days and should be received easily within 7 working days to any UK address. International orders may take longer. Postage is set at £1.40 and is a flat rate for anywhere in the world. As we are an established business but new to eBay we would appreciate if you could contact us if you are unhappy in any way with our service or our products. Our customer satisfaction guarantee aims to resolve all issues within 5 working days. Feedback will be left once we know you are happy with your item. 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