The Archipelago of the Chausey Islands is an ornithological reserve where many seabirds such as herring gulls, cormorants, or turnstones come to nest and, for some, to winter. Grande Île (Big Island) is about 111 acres (45 ha), and about ten people live there year-round (fishermen, coastguards). The island results from the conjunction of three granite islets connected by a tombolo (tongue of sand). A natural channel called Sound leads to the Beauchamp pass where boats can anchor.